New Assistant Dean for Yeshiva College

The search for a new Assistant Dean appears to be over. Dr. Joyce E. Jesionowski, formerly of Adelphi University, has passed through every stage of the interview and selection process and has reportedly been offered the position in the Office of the Dean of Yeshiva College.

However, the Personnel Department has yet to complete approval of the move and Dr. Jesionowski has not officially accepted the position, but sources are confident that those are mere formalities.

Dr. Jesionowski was selected after meeting the various people she would be working with. A student delegation, a faculty delegation, and of course meetings with upper-level administration members from Student Services, and Academic Affairs were all par t of the interviewing gauntlet she faced. Everyone who met her thought well of her, Sruli Tannenbaum, YCSC president, was one of a number of students she had the opportunity to meet. "Dr. Jesionowski seems to have all the qualities students will want," he said, "Her skills and experience, along with her personality, make her perfect for the position."

"She seemed very competent , someone who will listen and address student needs," added Jason Buskin, the former YCSC president, and member of the student delegation.

Her future boss, YC Dean Norman Adler added, "I am very pleased that we have a candidate who has made a wonderful impression on students, faculty, and administrative colleagues."

Dr. Jesionowski became aware of the opening through an ad YU placed in the New York Times and was attracted to the unique nature of the YU undergraduate program and to the fact that she saw a clear mission in the university's educational philosophy.

She received her B.A. from Michigan State in Humanities, the came to Columbia University to pursue her graduate work. She worked for her M.F.A. in Film Scholarship and Criticism and earned an M. Phil. and Ph.D. in Cinema Studies.

She has worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and as a free-lance video editor/producer for companies such as IBM and Bell Communications, before moving back into the academic world at Adelphi University. She started as Assistant to the Provost before working her way up to Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Jesionowski's responsibilities at Adelphi included curricular planning, management of class schedule and supervision of budget for the college. These skills are indispensable for anyone assuming the vacant Assistant Dean's post, but what proved to be her best selling point was her willingness and ability to work with the students. She presented this characteristic as "by far the most satisfying aspect of my portfolio."

Unfortunately, since the deal has not been finalized, Dr. Jesionowski was unable to provide comments on the record as to her plans for the position and the possible adversity she might face both as a woman and a non-Jew.

The students who met her doubt that she will face special problems. "Any time you bring someone new into the YU environment you have to expect there will be an adjustment period," explained Tannenbaum. "Yeshiva College has a very unique environment. There may be some culture shock, but only because she's new, not because she's female or not Jewish."

"I don't believe either her sex or her religion will be an issue," replied Buskin. As for the possible adjustment period while she gets used to the "unique" YU environment, "She's smart and intelligent and probably dealt with similar students and issues in the past," added Buskin, "I think she will learn the YU system quickly."

Adler is just glad its over. "It has been a long search," he remarked, and he feels they finally found "the person who will be just right in helping students and faculty function well and happily."