Academic Affairs

faculty at conference

Providing leadership and resources to support the intellectual and professional growth of students, faculty and staff.

Virtual Office Hours

Due to COVID-19, we are available virtually during all regular office hours 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. General inquiries can be sent to Doffice@ursinus.edu.

We facilitate curricular and co-curricular experiences that foster students’ intellectual development, moral awareness, and curiosity so they can effectively engage with a complex and ambiguous world.

To fulfill this mission, we develop and sustain a learning environment. These shared values allow us to model our commitment to education in all that we do:

Curiosity is approaching our work with the idea of not knowing it all; that there is always more to learn; that my perspective and world view are not shared by everyone. It is a sincere interest in dialogue and a desire to add to my knowledge and awareness. It is a willingness to learn from and teach others, and to seek out diverse opinions.

Trust is a fundamental assumption that each individual is always doing his or her best, based on his or her view of the world. There are two parts to trust: trusting the person’s ability to accomplish something, and trusting the person’s commitment as part of a team. Trust is our willingness to suspend judgement in the current moment; to believe the person is honest, capable, and reliable.

Confidence is having the courage, agency, and assurance to provide space for all to think independently, speak honestly, and take risks freely. It enables us to accept challenges, confront difficulty, and overcome obstacles in order to reach our potential both individually and collectively. As leaders we have the confidence to embrace new and innovative ideas in collaboration with others.

Meet Our Deans

Mark Schneider

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College

See Full Profile

Kelly Sorensen

Professor of Philosophy and Religion
Associate Dean of the College

See Full Profile

Meredith Lynn Goldsmith

Associate Dean, Professor of English

See Full Profile

Nathan Rein

Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Assistant Dean of the College
Co-Director, Ursinus Institute

See Full Profile

Stephanie Mackler

Assistant Dean of the College and Professor of Education

“Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it and by the same token save it from that ruin which, except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and young, would be inevitable.” -Hannah Arendt

See Full Profile

Simara Price

Assistant Professor & Lab Coordinator / Assistant Dean of the College for Academic Transitions / Co-director of the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good

In addition to teaching introductory level laboratory courses, I have been developing and teaching biology courses that also explore how the field of biology plays a role in the African Diasporic experience in America. The topics we explore in these courses include human evolution, migration and skin pigmentation, medical fallacies, stress and epigenetics, ancestry and many more!

See Full Profile

Student Nominations for Faculty Mentoring/Advising Award

Students have the opportunity to nominate faculty members for recognition by the campus community at the end of every academic year. Recipients are nominated by students and reviewed by a committee composed of faculty and administrators.

Jones Award for Distinguished Advising and Mentoring

Is there a faculty member that has gone above and beyond for you?

Maybe it was figuring out the best classes you should take or helping you decide the best major for you based on your strengths.

Perhaps you are just inspired by this person as a role model or they helped guide you through a difficult life experience so you could focus on your coursework.

If you have an advisor and/or mentor who is full-time faculty member that has significantly helped you during your time at Ursinus and/or in your planning for your future, consider nominating that person for the Lloyd Jones Award for Distinguished Advising and Mentoring.

The nominee could be a formal advisor, such as first-year advising or major/minor advising or mentor in an informal capacity such as offering guidance, support, role-modeling, and advice.

Any student may nominate one or more faculty members. Individual nominations must be submitted on separate forms by March 26, 2021. Click here to submit your nomination.
Student Nominations for Faculty Teaching Award

Students have the opportunity to nominate faculty members for recognition by the campus community at the end of every academic year. Recipients are nominated by students and reviewed by a committee composed of faculty and administrators.

Laughlin Distinguished Teaching Award

For many years Ursinus has recognized faculty members for outstanding teaching by awarding the Distinguished Teaching Award. The award is given to a full-time faculty member in recognition of teaching excellence. The recipient is selected from among faculty members nominated by students, and recommended by a faculty committee comprised of previous recipients of the distinguished teaching award. The award will be presented at the end of the semester.

Any student may nominate one or more faculty members. Individual nominations must be submitted on separate forms by March 26, 2021. Please click here to submit your nomination.