Provost Office Staff
Erik Lillquist, J.D.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President
President's Hall
erik.lillquist@shu.edu
As Interim Provost, Erik leads the University’s Academic Affairs division, overseeing
strategic, operational and resource planning for all Schools and Colleges in alignment
with the University’s Strategic Plan. He is responsible for academic resource management;
faculty hiring, development, and evaluation; academic program quality and viability;
and research and innovation efforts. Erik also ensures integration of academics with
the University’s Catholic Mission and fosters partnerships at the local, national,
and international levels. In his continued role as Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer, he advances cross-university planning and process improvement
in collaboration with Human Resources, IT, and Finance.
Father Gerald Buonopane, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Academics and Catholic Identity
President's Hall 206
(973)-275-3474
gerald.buonopane@shu.edu
Biography »
As Seton Hall University's Vice Provost for Academics and Catholic Identity, Father
Buonopane leads strategic decisions of the University Core and works to achieve broader
participation from across the University. He supervises the Director of Core Studies
in implementing the strategy through the Core Offices, the Core Fellows and in collaboration
with the University Core Committees. Father Buonopane works with the faith-based and
mission-based Centers, Institutes and Directors.
Associate Provosts
Associate Provost for Research and Innovation and
Dean of University Libraries
University Libraries 226
(973) 761-9019
john.buschman@shu.edu
Oversees the Office of Grants and Research Services with a focus on achieving higher grants and research outcomes and deploying the affordances of technology for efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in pursuit of grant support. Promotes partnerships with Deans and outside agencies for the same goal. Undertakes other initiatives to promote faculty accomplishments.
Associate Provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs
Presidents Hall/Schwartz Hall
(973) 761-7554
christopher.cuccia@shu.edu
Christopher Cuccia is the Associate Provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs and Institutional Research. From the outset of his tenure with the University in November of 2014, he has contributed to promoting the operational efficiency, compliance and reporting infrastructures in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Presently, he heads the Office of Graduate Affairs. In this capacity, he ultimately oversees all aspects of graduate recruitment, application processing and systems administration, spearheads graduate analyses and reporting and collaborates with the academic units and faculty on the conceptualization and development of new programs. In addition, he provides strategic leadership and direction to the Office of Institutional Research and leads or contributes to a variety of other projects and committees within Academic Affairs.
Associate Provost for Strategy and Finance
Presidents Hall 117
(973) 761-9102
Kurt.Rotthoff@shu.edu
Kurt W. Rotthoff is the Associate Provost for Strategy and Finance. In that role, he focuses on academic administration in the areas of University policy, budget and finance, human resources, and long-term strategies. Dr. Rotthoff provides financial and budgetary oversight for all of the centers and units that report through the Provost's Office, including all of the Colleges and Schools of the University. He also coordinates with the Department of Human Resources on employment policies and personnel matters for all academic areas, and he works with the College and Schools of the University in assessing their hiring needs and coordinating their faculty hiring. Dr. Rotthoff uses data-driven outcomes to ensure strategic use of university resources.
Assistant Provosts
Assistant Provost and Dean of Continuing and Professional Education
Schwartz Hall 207
(973) 275-3577
mary.naatus@shu.edu
Mary Kate Naatus is responsible for the development and implementation of the vision
for Continuing Education, including the expansion of online and professional programming,
development of programmatic offerings, creation of strategic domestic and international
partnerships and optimization of summer offerings.
Leigh Onimus, J.D.
Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
Presidents Hall 111
leigh.onimus@shu.edu
Leigh Onimus is responsible for the coordination and facilitation of the work related
to academic matters in the Office of the Provost. She works with appropriate campus
constituents to draft responses to and address student and parent concerns on academic
matters. With key stakeholders, Leigh develops, implements, measures, and reports
the outcomes of the University’s Strategic Plan. Her role includes identifying and
executing strategic initiatives designed to increase the university's quality and
visibility, especially in accreditation and rankings.
Assistant Provost for Academic Excellence and Assessment
Presidents Hall 310
(973) 313 -6081
sona.patel@shu.edu
Sona Patel leads university-wide initiatives to strengthen student learning, advance equitable and engaging teaching, and promote interdisciplinary and cross-divisional collaboration. She drives academic excellence through evidence-based assessment, the recognition of faculty excellence, and strategic program development, ensuring that innovation delivers measurable results. Her efforts include expanding undergraduate research, stimulating new course and program development, advancing continuous improvement through program review, and elevating institutional assessment practices. Through Dr. Patel's leadership, academic quality is continuously improved through exceptional educational experiences and data-informed decision-making.
Assistant Provost for Faculty Affairs
Presidents Hall
(973) 642-8201
Jamie.Werbel@shu.edu
Jamie Pukl-Werbel is responsible for faculty development, interests, and welfare, in addition to leading various strategic initiatives to promote academic policy and procedures across the university. Jamie works with the Faculty Senate and members of the Academic Affairs team on the faculty guide project and assists in drafting responses on matters of academic policy, procedure, resolutions of the faculty senate, and grievance appeals. Jamie is also the Assistant Dean of Experiential Education at Seton Hall University School of Law.
Directors
Director of Advising and Technology Integration
Presidents Hall 311
(973) 313-6314
anna.calka@shu.edu
The Director of Advising and Technology Integration at Seton Hall University leads key institutional initiatives to enhance student success, retention, and persistence to graduation. This role focuses on seamlessly integrating advanced technologies with academic advising and curriculum management processes. It is dedicated to fostering an environment where technology and academic advising converge to support the academic and personal growth of Seton Hall University students. She oversees the following university-wide systems: Watermark (Activity Insights, Workflow, and Web Profiles), Leepfrog (CourseLeaf and CIM), as well as SharePoint for Academic Affairs. In addition, she oversees the newly created Pre-Professional Advising Center.
Caryn Grabowski, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Director of Experiential Learning
Presidents Hall 323
(973) 275-4818
caryn.grabowski@shu.edu
The Director of Experiential Learning drives the expansion and advances the quality of experiential learning opportunities in alignment with the strategic plan and mission. In these efforts, the Director collaborates with the Center for Faculty Development, Office of International Programs, Office of Grants and Research Services, the Career Center and members of the Schools and Colleges to help create, implement, improve and publicize experiential learning endeavors across the University.
Director of Academic Events, Engagement and Special Projects
Presidents Hall 322
973-761-9205
kaerielle.larsen@shu.edu
The Director of Academic Events, Engagement and Special Projects manages and executes high-level academic events while focusing on engagement across the university community. She leads the planning, coordination, and execution of a diverse array of programs and projects that support academic initiatives, including the Sabbatical lifecycle, Academic Dean Searches, and the Impact Talk Speaker Series. Working with software programs designed to support academic success, she collaborates to ensure the smooth administration of the CourseLeaf and Watermark Faculty Success platforms. Additionally, she partners with the Assistant Provost of Academic Excellence and Assessment to contribute to the facilitation of the Academies initiative and ensure the university's academic assessment processes remain robust and effective.
Stephanie Montalvo, B.A.
Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Provost
Presidents Hall 112
973-761-9018
stephanie.montalvo@shu.edu
The Administrative Assistant to the Provost provides extensive administrative support to the Deputy Provost and Academic Affairs Council, supporting academic initiatives and objectives. She acts as the liaison between the Deputy Provost and all constituents, stakeholders, and direct reports for key communications. In addition to helping with Faculty Senate communications and resolutions, she is the main contact point for the University Rank and Tenure process within the Office of the Provost.