SMITHFIELD, RI—With Bryant University’s School of Health and Behavioral Sciences being elevated to full college status and the College of Arts and the College of Arts and Sciences being renamed the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, two outstanding leaders have been appointed deans of the colleges beginning July 1.
Dr. Kirsten Hokeness has been appointed Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, while Dr. Terri Hasseler has been appointed Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“These appointments recognize two accomplished academic leaders whose experience, vision, and deep commitment to Bryant will serve the University exceptionally well during this exciting time of continued institutional progress,” says President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “Dr. Hokeness has played a central role in the growth and distinction of Bryant’s health and behavioral sciences programs, elevating Bryant’s visibility in key national conversations at the intersection of health, business, and innovation. Dr. Hasseler brings a distinguished record of institutional service to this position, having guided the development of a new general education curriculum, advanced women’s initiatives, and put Bryant in national discussions around pedagogy, innovation, and the role of AI in higher education.”
Bryant University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. added, “Together, Dr. Hokeness and Dr. Hasseler bring the experience, judgment and collaborative leadership necessary to guide these colleges with purpose and ambition. I am confident that, under their direction, both colleges will build on their strong foundations, deepen their impact, and help shape Bryant’s future in powerful and enduring ways.”
Launched as the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences in 2022, the elevation to college recognizes the program’s remarkable momentum, experiencing sustained growth across academic programs, enrollment, and research activity. The transition affirms the college’s evolution into an energetic academic hub, offering an expanding portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs keenly focused on meeting the evolving needs of today’s healthcare, life sciences, wellness, and behavioral science sectors.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at this critical time when Bryant is providing transformational experiences that allow graduates to lead from day one in shaping the future of health and wellness,” says Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. “Our faculty and staff are doing vital work in growing the impact of programs that are preparing our students to be agile problem-solvers who are well-equipped to transform data into insight and insight into action across the healthcare industry.
The renaming of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, which was initially established in 2004, reflects a strategic alignment between the college’s identity and its range of academic disciplines examining human meaning-making, institutions, culture, communication, and social systems. The new name highlights a career-focused liberal arts education grounded in communication and data literacy, fostering critical and creative thinking, and providing essential skills in AI and experiential education, while preparing students to address real-world challenges with insight, adaptability, and professional expertise.
“This is an exciting time to lead a college offering holistic, purpose-driven learning that prepares students for meaningful academic and professional success,” says Terri Hasseler, Ph.D. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to support our collaborative efforts to provide transformative learning experiences that produce graduates who have the ability to excel as ethically engaged and critically informed leaders in their respective fields of endeavor.”
About Bryant University
For 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers an integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant.edu