Dr. Gayle D. Insler Appointed Adelphi University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Garden City, NY
March 17, 2009

Gayle D. Insler

Adelphi University has announced that, following a national search, Dr. Gayle D. Insler has been appointed as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. For 11 years, Dr. Insler has served as the dean of Adelphi’s College of Arts and Science and has been serving as acting provost since July 2008. The appointment is effective immediately.

Dr. Insler has been recognized with numerous awards during her career. She has been widely published in the fields of biology and biochemistry, and is an active member in several professional organizations. As dean, she oversaw the development of several new academic programs, including undergraduate programs in international studies and computer management and information systems, and graduate programs in creative writing, physics, and environmental studies. During her 11 years as dean, enrollment in the College has increased by more 138 percent and the full-time instructional faculty grew 19 percent.

Since her appointment as interim provost in July, Dr. Insler has overseen the University’s strategic planning initiative and the University’s 10-year Middle States accreditation review, and played an active role in the opening of more than 100,000 square feet of new academic facilities. She was the unanimous choice of the search committee that was headed by Dr. Richard Garner, dean of the University’s acclaimed Honors College. As provost, Dr. Insler will serve as the senior academic officer for a University with over 8,400 students, 330 full-time faculty, and an operating budget of nearly $200 million dollars. She will bring strong leadership to the University information technology operations and registrar’s office as well as serve as chair of the University’s campus planning committee.

"Dr. Insler has the critical insights of a researcher and strong leadership experience gained by serving as an outstanding dean. She will bring these talents to her position as provost, benefiting Adelphi as it plans for its future," said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Thomas F. Motamed '71.

"My years at Adelphi have been richly rewarding and it is a great honor to serve in this new role," said Dr. Insler. "I am excited about the opportunity to build on the University's growth in academic excellence, research, and service to the community and work with the University's distinguished deans, faculty, trustees, and president."

"I am delighted with the recommendation of the search committee and the ratification of the Board.  Dr. Insler brings both a palpable passion for academic excellence and tremendous commitment to students to her position. I am confident that she will continue to be a source of expertise to her campus colleagues," said Adelphi President Robert A. Scott. "Her record of distinction and belief in the mission and vision of the University will be essential to our future success."

Dr. Insler has served many roles at the University since she joined the faculty as an assistant professor of biology in 1977. In 1983, she was promoted to associate professor, and in 1988 she was promoted to professor of biology, a title she continues to hold. In 1997, she became the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She received her B.S. in biology, cum laude, from SUNY StonyBrook, and her M.S. and Ph.D in zoology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

For more about Adelphi University visit www.adelphi.edu.


About Adelphi University: Adelphi University, chartered in 1896, was the first institution of higher education for the liberal arts and sciences on Long Island. Through its schools and programs—The College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Social Work—the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,500 students from 41 states and 63 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.


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