Accelerate Faculty

Scott Zeman, Ph.D., has been named vice president of Academic Affairs at Alverno College. Zeman, who most recently was provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., begins his appointment November 1.

A professor of history whose areas of scholarly interest include atomic history and culture, Zeman has overseen academic affairs at Salve Regina since 2014.

“Scott brings an array of impressive experience to Alverno, including a deep interest in excellent teaching, along with sustained interest in women's education and the education of first-generation students,” said Andrea Lee, IHM, president of Alverno College. “His desire to direct his significant skill and experience to our mission around the education of women is amply evident. It is a joy to welcome Scott to campus.”

"I am delighted and honored to be joining Alverno College as vice president for academic affairs,” said Zeman. “I was deeply impressed by the kindness and warmth of all the people I met, the profound sense of community, and the clear understanding of the college's mission.”

As chief academic officer at Salve Regina, Zeman oversaw all academic components of the university, including academic support services, the library, the registrar's office, international programs, sponsored research, career development, community service, faculty development, the center for academic excellence, the center for teaching and learning, and institutional research. Accomplishments at Salve Regina include leading the creation of its strategic plan and vision, creating the Office of Sponsored Programs, and creating partnerships with the Rhode Island Department of Education and Miami Dade College, the largest minority-serving college in the United States. Additionally, Zeman established faculty-led initiatives on civic engagement, diversity and writing across the curriculum; secured external funding to support innovation in the curriculum and community engagement; and oversaw the implementation of a revised university core curriculum.

Originally from Scottsdale, Ariz., Zeman earned his doctorate from Arizona State University. Before his work at Salve Regina University, he served as dean of the College for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at St. Thomas University in Miami and as associate vice president for academic affairs and director of faculty development at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Zeman is a member of the American Historical Association, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Organization of American Historians, and the Popular Culture Association. He has published and presented widely in his areas of scholarly interest.

Zeman succeeds acting Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathy Lake, Ph.D., who will work on the implementation of Alverno's strategic plan in the School of Professional Studies, which comprises the college's programs in Business and Education.