Boris Vilic Named Dean of College of Continuing Studies

Boris Vilic, dean of the College of Continuing Studies

Donald Steven, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, has announced the promotion of Boris Vilic from associate dean and executive director of the College of Continuing Studies (CCS) to dean of CCS. 

“I could not be more pleased to see Boris promoted to dean, a title that he most certainly deserves,” said Steven. “I have the utmost confidence that he will continue the outstanding work he has brought to Rider and the College of Continuing Studies.”

Since Vilic joined the University two years ago, CCS has engaged in a number of strategic initiatives that resulted in the College surpassing its goals – established by the University Strategic Plan for 2010 – this past fall semester. These initiatives include the bachelor’s degree completion program in Mount Laurel, N.J., a growing number of distance learning courses and a significant increase in Summer School enrollments.

Vilic was very pleased at this endorsement of the efforts he has brought to CCS. “I am honored to be a part of the renewal of the University and the College of Continuing Studies,” said Vilic. “CCS has had a long history of providing exceptional academic programs for adult learners, and it is certainly very gratifying to be recognized for my contribution to the success of the new initiatives CCS has undertaken since I joined Rider in 2006.”

Working in collaboration with Dr. Carol Brown, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences (CLAES), and the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling, Vilic was instrumental in developing the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, a highly successful program that currently enrolls almost 100 graduate students. In addition, Vilic, along with Dr. Jonathan Yavelow, assistant dean for Sciences of CLAES, and Dr. Steven Lorenzet, associate dean of the College of Business Administration, initiated the Applied Leadership Institute for Science Professionals, an executive education program for scientists in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Institute has been well received by leading pharmaceutical companies (including Merck, Schering-Plough and Wyeth).

These developments reflect the University’s continued commitment to non-traditional learners, a commitment that encompasses more than 140 years of offering educational opportunities to working adults. Rider’s distinguished faculty and excellent academic programs have had a major impact in the lives of CCS’ students, and many of the College's alumni have gone on to realize significant professional accomplishments after their graduation from Rider. They have held positions of President and COO of Dow Jones and Company, Senior Vice President and Controller of ITT Automotive, Chief Financial Officer of Roma Bank, Senior Vice President and CFP of Shore Community Bank, Co-Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hibbert Group, Chief Information Officer of Toll Brothers, President and COO of RAIT Investment Trust, President and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton, President and CEO of the Sands Hotel and Casino, among many others.
 
“I am very fortunate to be a part of the Rider community, a community that is distinguished by the profound care it exhibits for the accomplishments of our students, and I am also thankful to the many faculty who have helped us spearhead new programming, such as distance learning, study abroad courses, off-site offerings, to name just a few,” Vilic continued. “Since we’ve already reached the goals set forth by the University’s strategic plan, CCS will undergo an external review process to help us identify new mission-driven opportunities and even better ways of reaching out to adult learners in the region. The process will guide us as we start the dialogue on campus about the future of CCS and potential new offerings.”

Submitted on February 29, 2008