Following a national search, Dr. Rose Mary L. Howell of Wayne has been named Dean of Students.

Howell, Dean for Student Services at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York since 2001, said “I am impressed with the vision and growth of Montclair State University under the direction of Dr. Susan A. Cole, MSU’s president, and I am tremendously excited about the bright future of such a dynamic, multicultural institution. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the University’s administrative team and to assist its 16,500 students in enjoying a truly first-rate educational experience. As a resident of Wayne, I have desired to return to New Jersey in a significant professional capacity and that desire has become a reality.”

“Dr. Howell brings more than 18 years of significant and varied leadership skills

to her position,” said Dr. Cole. “At every college and university where she has worked

she has served as a student advocate keenly aware of the necessity of promoting a nurturing institutional environment to enhance student development.  Her experience and vision will assure that we continue to address the aspirations and needs of our dynamic student body at the highest possible level.”

As Dean for Student Services at FIT, Howell was responsible for the Offices of Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar, International Student Advisors, the Educational Opportunity Program and the Registration and Academic Advisement Centers. Her accomplishments include expanding the use of technology in student scheduling, co-authoring the 2003 Middle States Report, assisting in the development of the “seamless” associate/bachelor’s program and development of a college-wide customer service program.

Howell served as Associate Dean for Enrollment Management at William Paterson University from 1999 to 2001; as Senior Executive Assistant in the Office of the Associate Vice President for Administration and Safety at Rutgers University from 1997 to 1999; as Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Director of the Pre-College Program at Cook College, Rutgers, from 1989 to 1997; and as assistant director for the Cooperative Education Program at Cook College, Rutgers, from 1987 to 1989.

Howell earned her B.A. in Education and Health Sciences from Brooklyn College and her M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision from the New York School of Education. She earned her Ed.D. from Rutgers University in 1999.

Howell has given presentations and workshops throughout the hemisphere, from the Universidad Inter Americana de Puerto Rico’s Training Conference to the Association of College Bound Directors Conference, Rutgers University, Rider University and St. Peter’s College.

She has been a lobbyist to both the United States Congress and the General Assembly of Virginia, a television co-anchor and reporter, manager of a proprietary school and showroom and designer’s model.