Dr. Bernadette Muscat, interim associate dean of the College of Social Sciences, is permanently named associate dean of the College, effective June 1, 2018.

Dr. Michelle DenBeste, dean of the College of Social Sciences, announced the appointment, saying, “I look forward to continuing my work with Bernadette. I appreciate her knowledge of data, her willingness to work closely with our advising office, her attention to detail and her leadership on a variety of initiatives.”

Dr. Muscat has been interim associate dean in the college since May 2015. Previously, she served as the Criminology Department chair from 2012 to 2015.

Dr. Muscat served as a professor in different departments at Fresno State, including the Department of Criminology (Victimology Emphasis) and the Department of Political Science (Master’s of Public Administration).

Dr. Muscat’s accomplishments include several academic and student success initiatives. She is responsible for increasing the number of units students take each semester through the Course Access Initiative, the Graduation Rate Initiative, and Four Year Guarantee Program pertaining to the College of Social Sciences — all with the goal of increasing retention and timely graduation. Dr. Muscat has also worked collaboratively with various entities on-campus in the early development of the fully online degree completion program for the B.A. in Liberal Arts.

In addition, Dr. Muscat led the development and implementation of the College of Social Sciences Advising Center and works closely with advising staff to provide an array of advising services including extended hours and COSS Linked a peer mentor program for those with a major or minor within the college. For the past 10 years, she served as a co-faculty leader for the Department of Criminology's study abroad program. She also works with faculty within the College of Social Sciences and across the University to develop faculty-led study abroad programs.

As a publisher, Dr. Muscat’s themes have included victimology, victim services, curriculum development, coalition building, underserved victim populations, and program/ policy evaluation.

Dr. Muscat is a member of two national organizations: Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Moving the Needle of Women in Leadership Positions in Higher Education. She is also a board member for the American Council on Education NorCal Women’s Network, and serves as an advisory board member of the Student Success Network in the California State University through EdInsights.

“As associate dean for the College of Social Sciences, I intend to continue my efforts as a forward-thinking leader in my approaches to program development,” Dr. Muscat said. “I am prepared to support and lead the college toward the next level of excellence in education, student success, and improved retention and graduation rates, as well as supporting faculty and staff excellence.”