Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs
The Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs (VDFAS) supports the Dean of Arts & Sciences by promoting excellence in the A&S faculty and fostering their work as teachers and scholars. The Vice Dean coordinates with the Dean on all matters of faculty status in A&S, such as the hiring, tenure, promotion, and retention of faculty, supporting both tenure-line and non-tenure line processes. The Vice Dean provides dedicated support for interdisciplinary programs and the periodic review of academic programs. The VDFAS Office works collaboratively with departments and programs to promote equity and inclusion in policies and procedures and to develop and sustain a culture of belonging in Arts & Sciences.
Meet Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs, Robert Hume, Ph.D.
Robert J. Hume, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Political Science, came to Fordham in 2005. Before assuming his current role, Dr. Hume served as the Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2023-2025) and Associate Dean of Faculty (2021-2023). Within the Political Science department, Dr. Hume was both Chair (2015-2021) and Associate Chair (2011-2015). He also chaired the A&S Core Curriculum Committee for five years (2013-2018). More recently, Dr. Hume co-chaired the Core Curriculum Revision Pre-Planning Advisory Board and played a key role in the Transfer Student Task Force and the Working Group on Reimagining the Function and Structure of Arts and Sciences at Fordham.
Dr. Hume earned degrees from the College of the Holy Cross (B.A., History) and the University of Virginia (M.A., Ph.D., Politics). An expert on law and policy, Dr. Hume is the author of numerous articles and is also the author of these books:
Judicial Behavior and Policymaking: An Introduction (Rowman & Littlefield 2018)
The Office of the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs
The Office of the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs provides dedicated support to A&S departments and programs on matters of faculty concern, promoting the work of the faculty, enhancing the quality of pedagogy, supporting research, and assisting the management of personnel processes. Explore below how each member of the VDFAS team contributes to the mission of the office:
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The Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs is a key member of the senior leadership team, with delegated oversight of non-tenure-line faculty personnel processes, such as the hiring, evaluation, and promotion of faculty. The Associate Dean supports the administration of the Student Experience Survey (SES), as well as the strategic goals and daily operations of the office.
Jackie Gross
Administrative Assistant to the Vice Dean and Coordinator of T/TT Faculty Administration
718-817-0586
The Coordinator of T/TT Faculty Administration provides administrative support to the Vice Dean in the management of all matters related to tenured and tenure-track (T/TT) faculty within Arts & Sciences, including hiring, reappointments, and tenure cases. The Coordinator serves as the primary liaison between Vice Dean and faculty, as well as the Office of Faculty Affairs in the Provost’s Office.
The Executive Secretary provides administrative support to the VDFAS team and the daily operations of the VDFAS office. This includes handling incoming queries, managing the calendars of the Dean and Associate Dean, and scheduling meetings for department chairs, program directors, and faculty. Additionally, provides logistical support for recurring projects and ad hoc requests.