Dear Adelphi Community,
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer M. Lancaster, PhD, to Adelphi as the new dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS) and executive director of Adelphi’s Manhattan Center—a dual role requiring innovative and experienced leadership to meet the needs of modern students and working professionals. Dr. Lancaster will begin her appointment on August 1, 2025.
Tapping into her extensive academic leadership expertise, Dr. Lancaster will guide CPCS through continued expansion of its educational and supportive programs serving adult learners and nontraditional students, collaborating across the University to develop and implement online programs and spearhead an ambitious agenda to make an Adelphi education accessible to students from all backgrounds. Dr. Lancaster will also oversee administrative and academic operations at the Manhattan Center, Adelphi’s new 51,000-square-foot academic center scheduled to open in the heart of Midtown Manhattan in 2026. Working with the provost, academic deans and University leadership, she will lead program recruitment, academic administration, employee supervision and student advisement for this dynamic new location.
Dr. Lancaster brings to Adelphi more than two decades of progressively responsible academic and leadership experience at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York. She was most recently vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, with responsibility for planning, managing and evaluating all academic programs offered by the college, as well as oversight of academic advisement, library services, online learning, first year experience, academic support, the registrar, grant management, program planning and development, and regular evaluation of academic personnel. In addition, she led strategic planning and accreditation studies by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, represented the college at local, regional and national meetings and events, served as chief administrative officer of the college during the absence of the president, and was chief of the college’s emergency action plan team. Dr. Lancaster served on the executive committee for St. Francis College’s complete campus relocation from 2021 to 2023.
Prior to this role, Dr. Lancaster was chair of the St. Francis College Department of Psychology, managing the departmental budget, directing student learning assessment, and conducting course scheduling and faculty assignment, academic advisement, as well as faculty hiring, observation and development. As a faculty member, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses, served as mentor for undergraduate research projects and graduate theses, and participated in a variety of college committees. Throughout her career, Dr. Lancaster had championed equity, promoting student success across all domains of university life.
Dr. Lancaster earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical-School Psychology and a Master of Arts with Distinction at Hofstra University. A licensed clinical psychologist for more than 20 years, Dr. Lancaster has served as clinical director of the New York Cognitive Therapy & Wellness Center since 2005.
Special thanks to Sandra Castro, PhD, who stepped up to serve as interim dean of CPCS following the retirement of past dean Andy Atzert, EdD, in March. Dr. Castro’s leadership and enthusiasm have made for a successful transitional period, and we appreciate her many contributions.
We are so pleased to have Dr. Lancaster guiding two pivotal aspects of Adelphi academics—one that has served the educational needs of students since 1973 and another that represents a bold new step toward the University’s future. We look forward to seeing the impact of her work, and wish her tremendous success.
Warm regards,
Christopher Storm, PhD
Interim President
Susan Dinan, PhD
Interim Provost