Faculty named as dean of academic affairs, dean of academic services

York College president George W. Waldner has named Dominic DelliCarpini as dean of Academic Affairs and Deborah Ricker as dean of Academic Services, effective July 1.

DelliCarpini will replace William T. “Tom” Bogart, current dean of Academic Affairs, who will assume the presidency of Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., on July 1. DelliCarpini came to York College as associate professor of English and Writing Program administrator in 1997, having previously taught at St. Ambrose and Pennsylvania State universities. During his tenure at York, he has served as president of the Academic Senate (faculty governing body), as chair of the General Education Review Committee, as co-chair of the Middle States Subcommittee on Leadership, Governance and Administration, and as chair of the Subcommittee on Student Academic Engagement and Retention.

DelliCarpini has also served in leadership positions on a national level, including as an executive board member of the National Council of Writing Program Administrators (WPA), as co-chair and steering committee member of the WPA Network for Media Action, and as co-chair and founding member of the National Conversation on Writing.

DelliCarpini has written numerous articles and book chapters, and has published several textbooks, including “Issues: Reading in Academic Disciplines,” and “Composing a Life’s Work: Writing, Citizenship, and Your Occupation.” He was named recipient of the 2010 Professional Service and Leadership Award by York College’s Alumni Association.

A resident of Shrewsbury, DelliCarpini earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and master’s and doctoral degrees in English from Pennsylvania State University.

“Dr. DelliCarpini’s nationally recognized scholarship on teaching/learning methods is perhaps the best imaginable area of professional expertise for leading an academic program,” said President Waldner. “His contemplative and analytical approach to human relations and academic life made him stand out for me as the best person to take the helm in academic affairs at this time.”

Ricker, current associate dean of Academic Affairs and associate professor of biological sciences, will head the College’s newest division, Academic Services, which will group Academic Advising with the Career Development Center and the Center for Professional Excellence. “The mission of Academic Services is to craft a comprehensive approach to enabling students to plan their academic and co-curricular experiences, so as to maximize their long-term personal development,” said President Waldner. “This new division gives great prominence to our brand of professionalism, and further ensures its integration into academic life. In this new role, Dr. Ricker will make key contributions across a broad spectrum of College activities and innovate in an exciting new area.”

Ricker earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C., a master’s degree in biology from East Tennessee State University, and a doctorate from The Johns Hopkins University. She came to York College in 1995 as an assistant professor of biology and was named associate professor of biology in 2000. She served as chair of the Department of Biological Science from 2002 to 2008, when she was named to her current position.

At York College, she has served as a member of numerous faculty committees, including the Retention Committee, the Environmental Responsibility Committee, Academic Council, Student Welfare Committee, Faculty Development Committee and Long Range Planning Committee.

Ricker has served in a number of leadership positions for the Pennsylvania Academy of Science and is currently finishing her second term as president. A resident of Jacobus, she has also served as a volunteer for the Centers of Excellence in Science at York Country Day School, and as judge for both the Dallastown Area Science Fair and the York County Science and Engineering Fair.