| Dr. Mildred Mihlon comes to Felician after having served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, where she was responsible for program level assessment, retention and graduation efforts, community, high school and industry partnerships, the Centers for Academic Success, Career Engagement, Study Abroad and Global Learning and Instructional Design, as well as the School for Professional and Continuing Studies. During her tenure, Dr. Mihlon was instrumental in the launch of two doctoral, three new master programs, the first fully online degree program as well as securing several private and historic federal grants.
For Mihlon accepting the position as the new Dean is coming full circle because her first “real job” after college was held at Immaculate Conception High School. Dr. Mihlon worked as the ICHS Admissions & Recruitment Director, and “even at that time felt an affinity for the Felician mission.” She worked closely with a number of the Felician Sisters including Sr. Annelle who was Principal at that time. Sr. Annelle coincidentally, was a member of the search committee for the new Dean.
Dr. Mihlon received her Ph.D. from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in Educational Psychology with a concentration in learning, development, and instruction. In her dissertation work, Mihlon investigated the relationship between help-seeking behavior and student academic performance in college. Mihlon also earned two additional master degrees from the Graduate Center (CUNY) and Montclair State University.
Dr. Mihlon says her new role at Felician will, “allow me to focus on what I really enjoy, and that is working with faculty on assessment and curriculum development to strengthen existing programs and develop new ones that prepare Felician students for rewarding careers and purposeful lives. Dr. Mihlon also views her new role as an opportunity to advocate for the Arts and Sciences and a voice to articulate the undeniable benefits of a liberal arts education. “In my former role, I would hear so often from industry professionals, how much they value the skills that a degree in Arts and Sciences provides in terms of helping students to think critically, and to communicate effectively, and navigate changing environments.”
The Dean is very much aware of the challenges posed by COVID-19 and believes higher education has been profoundly impacted in so many ways. “The reliance on technology, not only to conduct learning, but also to support students has been significant, and you simply can’t press rewind on that.” Dr. Mihlon believes that students post COVID-19 will seek increased online and more flexible course options. She has been impressed with the infrastructure at Felician to support online teaching and learning. Speaking optimistically the new dean says, “there is no way out of this but to move forward and I think Felician has really stepped up to the plate.” |
