RUTHERFORD, NJ (Sept. 12, 2024) – Felician University is proud to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Brian Conners, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), as the Dean of the School of Education. Dr. Conners was selected after an extensive search, reflecting the university’s commitment to excellence in leadership and strategic vision.

Dr. Conners remarked, “My goal as Dean is to stay true to our core values and ensure that the School of Education is the premier institution for education and related services, leadership, and behavior analysis. I want students to seek us out for the high-quality education we provide through our innovative curriculum and our integration of best practices in the field. Students will be greatly advantaged by working with our esteemed faculty who are true leaders in education, learning disabilities, and behavior analysis.”

In his position as Dean, Dr. Conners oversees the School of Education’s clinically driven programs which involve experiential learning models. He is instrumental in the development and implementation of new, innovative undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs designed to uphold and elevate the school’s reputation and integrity. This fall, a two-year post-secondary program called PATH (Post-Secondary Achievement Through Hands-On Learning) was launched in partnership with REED Autism Services which focuses on career readiness, life skills, and community engagement for a successful transition to adulthood. Additionally this spring, Dr. Conners will lead the university’s bi-annual Autism Conference, an event that brings together leading experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to discuss current evidence-based strategies, practical interventions, and data-driven educational methods for individuals with ASD.

Dr. Conners joined Felician University in 2023 as an associate professor for the online Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. He was appointed as the Acting Dean in March 2024. He earned his PhD in Higher Education Leadership and Education Specialist in School Psychology from Seton Hall University. He holds a graduate certificate in ABA from Penn State University, an MA in Psychological Studies from Seton Hall, and a BA in Psychology from Montclair State University. He is the author of numerous articles and publications on topics such as policy, theory, multiculturalism in treatment, management, and current applications.

Felician University’s School of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are nationally accredited and state-approved, with coursework that satisfies the New Jersey Department of Education’s requirements for certification. Skilled and compassionate graduates have become dedicated teachers throughout the global community of education and are dedicated to understanding the diverse needs of learners.

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About Felician University

Felician University is more than just an institute of higher learning. It is a community that inspires and engages over 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Our commitment to our students’ success is evident in our rankings and recognitions. Over the past five years, Felician University has consistently ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and has been recognized as the #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the thirteenth year, a testament to our strong support for Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, is a reflection of our inclusive and supporting environment. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.