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Montclair State University Names M. Scott Herness Vice Provost for Research and Dean of The Graduate School

Ohio State Graduate School Dean to lead continued growth of Montclair State’s master’s, doctoral and research programs

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Photo of new Dean of the Graduate School, M. Scott Herness.

M. Scott Herness, PhD has been appointed Vice Provost for Research and Dean of The Graduate School at Montclair State University, effective March 19, 2018.

Herness will join Montclair State after serving as the Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at The Ohio State University, where he oversaw all aspects of graduate education at one of the nation’s largest public Research 1 land grant institutions. Prior to his position at Ohio State, he held positions at The Rockefeller University and Indiana University School of Medicine. He will be responsible for the continued advancement of research and graduate studies at Montclair State.

“Dr. Herness brings exceptional experience as a faculty member and researcher in Neurobiology and as a senior administrator in graduate education,” says Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole. “He has the capacity to provide strong leadership to Montclair State’s growing initiatives in research and graduate education in the University’s 11 colleges and schools, and we are extremely pleased to welcome him to our dynamic institution.”

Herness earned a PhD in Biology in the Psychobiology Program from Florida State University. His research interests include sensory neuroscience with an emphasis on cellular transduction mechanisms in taste receptor cells. His work has received significant support from the National Institutes of Health and has been published in many prominent scholarly journals.

“I am truly excited about joining the Montclair State community,” says Herness. “With its recent reclassification as a Carnegie-designated Research Doctoral University, Montclair State is in an ideal position to grow both its research endeavors and its graduate portfolio. I look forward to meeting and working together with my new colleagues.”

Following its designation as a Research Doctoral University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in January 2016, Montclair State was also named a public research university by the State of New Jersey in July of 2017, making it one of four such institutions in the state and serving as further recognition of the University’s growing research endeavors.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in the fall of 2017, The Graduate School now features nearly 100 master’s and doctoral programs and has a total enrollment of 4,200 students – 20 percent of Montclair State’s total enrollment.

“Montclair State is at an unprecedented point in its history for the growth of its extramurally funded research and the doctoral programs that will support it,” says Herness. “I am eager to lend my efforts at this unique time as Montclair State enhances its reputation as a research university.”