For the past four years, Dr. Michael Alfultis has served as the Director of the UConn Avery Point Campus. Mike recently informed us that he will be stepping down from his leadership role to assume the position of President-SUNY Maritime College, effective July 14, 2014. Mike has been a dedicated leader of the Avery Point campus, making many significant contributions during his tenure including the oversight of the design and construction of a $9 million student center, a new Welcome Center, and a new Veterans Center, among other campus improvements. Under his leadership the campus added new graduate and professional programs in Engineering, Nursing, and Education; and a new undergraduate English major and a 2+2 undergraduate Engineering program. Avery Point students have benefited greatly from Mike’s student-focused management style by actively engaging with students at every possible opportunity including impromptu meetings on campus and attending organized student activities, student government and club meetings. We will miss Mike’s leadership and dedication to the success of the Avery Point campus, but we wish him great success as President of SUNY Maritime College.
A nationwide search for a new Avery Point Campus Director will be launched later this summer. In the interim, Marcelle “Marty” Wood has graciously agreed to serve as director of the campus. Marty retired from UConn in 2013, most recently having served as the Assistant Dean in the School of Engineering. In 1985, Marty joined the Mechanical Engineering Department as a lecturer and was promoted to Assistant Department Head in 1989, to Associate Department Head in 1991, and to Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education in 2000. Marty directed the undergraduate program and was responsible for the School of Engineering's undergraduate recruitment, retention and outreach initiatives. During his tenure, the number of undergraduate majors doubled from six to twelve, enrollment more than doubled and he led the school through three successful ABET accreditation visits. Since his retirement, he has been working at the Avery Point campus developing Engineering programs and courses there. Marty received his B.S. from Auburn University in 1971, his M.S. from the University of Connecticut in 1987, and served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force for 21 years.
Further details about the search for a new Campus Director will be published in the Daily Digest later this summer. Meanwhile, please join us in thanking Mike for his service to the Avery Point campus, and welcoming Marty to his role as Interim Campus Director.
For more information, contact: Office of the Provost at provost@uconn.edu