Dr. Irene Rios Knauf joins NVCC July 25, 2014

Naugatuck Valley Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Irene Rios Knauf, Ed.D., as the College’s Dean of Academic Affairs.

"I am pleased to welcome Dr. Irene Rios Knauf," said President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. " Dr. Rios Knauf brings many years of experience in higher education and will add much to the College’s academic leadership. We look forward to her creative contributions as we continue forward with our work in support of the goals of CSCU aligned with our Strategic Plan."

Dr. Rios Knauf comes to NVCC from Albertus Magnus College, where she served as the Dean for the Division of Evening Adult Undergraduate and Graduate programs since 2009. Her extensive career in higher education includes service to students at a variety of institutions including Rochester Institute of Technology (New York) where she served as the Director of Academic Advising, at  Saint Joseph University (Connecticut) where she served as the Registrar, and at Springfield College (Massachusetts) serving as the Executive Director of Academic Affairs. In addition to holding leadership positions in academia, Dr. Rios Knauf has taught courses in business management, education, and student development programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, both at Springfield College and the University of Hartford.

A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a baccalaureate degree in business administration and a master’s degree in curriculum development and instructional design, Irene received her doctorate from the University of Hartford where her research focused on academic advising in higher education.  She is the 2008 recipient of the annual dissertation research award recognized by the National Academic Advising Association.

Dr. Rios Knauf has held leadership positions in a variety of regional and national professional organizations, among them: The National Academic Advising Association, American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the Consortium for the Advancement of Adult Higher Education. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven.