Gordon names new provost, vice-president

Gordon State College names Joanne Ardovini, Ph.D. as the institution’s new Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs effective July 1, 2022.

Ardovini’s career and experience spans around 28 years in leadership, strategic planning and initiatives, program development, budgeting and mentoring professional relationships. Before joining GSC, Ardovini was the Dean of the Audrey Cohen School for Human Services, Education, Public Administration and Affairs, Community Health Education, and Emergency and Disaster Management at Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). She holds the status of full professor and joined MCNY in 2004.

In addition to serving as the program director for human services, common curriculum and the Pathways Program, Ardovini created the Finish Line Initiative which connects faculty, student services and the Learning Enhancement Center in early identification of and assistance for at-risk students. In efforts to support student services in increasing student engagement, she has implemented the Dean Dimension Series. It’s a series of student-centered social events. She has also promoted professional development via technology workshops including Quality Matters and OER training, faculty research and publishing groups, and Life as an Adjunct symposiums which address issues that directly impact adjunct faculty.

Ardovini is committed to crafting the vision of a well-rounded educational experience through collaboration towards GSC’s strategic plan, Building the Power of WE!

“Change cannot be placed on the shoulders of the few but can only be achieved by the efforts of the many,” Ardovini said. “Together, ‘WE’ can make a difference, the Gordon State College difference, as only Highlanders can!”

Before joining the faculty at MCNY, Ardovini was the assistant professor and director of graduate studies in the department of sociology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. While there, she taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, developed courses and assisted in establishing the Victims Studies and Women’s Studies programs as well as the first Sociology of Sports program. She also served as the faculty advisor for the Black, LatinX and LGBTQ-Plus Student Union.

Ardovini earned her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and communications at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York and her Master of Arts in communications and criminology from State University College at Brockport in New York. In 1997, Ardovini earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the department of sociology at Western Michigan University with two areas of expertise. The first area included social problems with sub-areas in race and ethnic relations, inequality and criminology while the second area focused on gender and feminist theory with sub-areas in methodology, epistemology and pedagogy. In 1998, Ardovini completed her postdoctoral as a research associate in education and leadership at the Institute for Leadership Transformation in Michigan.

Over the course of Ardovini’s academic career, she has received numerous honors including the New York State Most Influential Women in Academic Award and the Metropolitan Crystal Award for excellence in service. She has been published in the areas of curriculum development, feminist pedagogy, research methodologies, inequalities in education, juvenile boot camps, media portrayal of rape, as well as victimization and sexual harassment. Her most recent publications explore innovations within curriculum development as a form of social justice.

Ardovini volunteers at the Turn 2 Foundation and is interested in conducting research within the field of sports and sports history.