Michelle Brown

Background

About Michelle Brown

Dean of the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences at Western Connecticut State University, responsible for nearly half of university programs, students, and faculty. Energetic, visionary administrative leader with experience at both public and private student-centered universities offering liberal arts and professional programs. Expertise in engaging first-generation, underprepared, underrepresented, and non-traditional students through securing and deploying donor-funded scholarships and grants; and via pedagogical innovation including cross-disciplinary and high-impact practices in First Year Experience, civically-engaged and community service-based learning, faculty-student research collaboration, and study abroad. Strong emphasis on faculty teaching, research, and leadership development through mentoring, pipeline development and hiring diversity, and respect for shared governance. Demonstrated experience in policy development and contract bargaining; strategic planning and assessment; accreditation; curriculum development; and academic program review and revision including general education reform. Research and teaching expertise in postcolonial African literatures and gender studies, critical theory, and writing. Previous professional industry experience in corporate communications, technical editing, market research, and strategic advertising. Active in the community, currently as a Board Trustee for the C.H. Booth Library and Corporator for Newtown Savings Bank.