Accelerate Faculty

Alverno College President Andrea Lee, IHM, has appointed Joseph Foy, Ph.D., vice president for Academic Affairs. Foy, who is currently Dean of the Faculty at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis., begins his appointment April 15.

“Joe brings an array of impressive experience to Alverno, including a sustained interest in excellent teaching, a career-long commitment to transformational education and a wonderfully collaborative way of working,” Lee said. “His keen appreciation for the role of faculty development in teaching excellence and for the centrality of our students in our work as a Catholic, Franciscan college is evident.”

“I am thrilled to join the Alverno community and to offer my experience, commitment to student-centered and values-based education, and great respect for the Alverno mission to bear on the important work ahead,” said Foy, an associate professor of Cultural, Media and Gender Studies. “Producing graduates who go on to become leaders within their fields and in their communities, Alverno represents the very best of a private liberal arts education.”

At Alverno, Foy will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, working to implement its strategic plan, aimed at enrollment growth in market-driven programs that meet the workforce needs of southeastern Wisconsin. Additionally, Foy will collaborate with the college’s leadership team and faculty, who are deeply committed to experiential learning, collaborative teaching and educating a highly diverse student body of virtually every demographic. Alverno is Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution.

As dean, Foy has overseen the academic, budget and personnel management responsibilities for faculty teaching and more than 20 undergraduate, graduate and licensure programs. Reporting directly to the vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, Foy has been instrumental in implementing Marian’s strategic plan; identifying and supporting the development of new academic programs; devising student success initiatives; and facilitating collaboration with community and other higher education partners.

Before serving as dean at Marian, Foy worked in the University of Wisconsin System (now the University of Wisconsin Extended Campus) at two-year and four-year campuses, most recently as the system’s associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. He also served as the system’s interim associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, as well as served as associate campus dean, academic department chair, faculty senator and governance leader, and assessment coordinator.

Originally from Wyoming, Foy earned his doctorate in American Government and Comparative Politics and his Master of Arts in Comparative Politics and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame. His Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations is from Carroll College in Helena, Mont. Foy has published and presented widely in his areas of scholarly interest.