Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D had announced the appointment of David P. Dauwalder, Ph.D., as interim vice president of academic affairs.

A resident of Hamden, CT., Dauwalder will begin on July 1. He will replace Amy D’Olivo, Ph.D., who will retire June 30.

“Dr. Dauwalder is a seasoned professional who brings important skills to Centenary at a pivotal time for this university,” Murphy said. “Centenary is expanding its academic offerings to meet emerging market needs. Dauwalder’s extensive experience in higher education administration will be invaluable in advancing our strategic plan to strengthen Centenary’s role as the intellectual, economic, and cultural heart of the Skylands Region.”

Dauwalder most recently served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Central Connecticut State University, New Britain. Throughout his career, he has held senior administrative roles at institutions including the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA; Woodbury University, Burbank, CA; the University of New Haven; California State University—Stanislaus; Central Washington University, Kittitas County, WA, and California State University—Los Angeles. He was also a faculty member in the business departments at a number of universities.

A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Dauwalder holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Doctor of Philosophy in Secondary Education from Arizona State University, Scottsdale, Dauwalder pointed to his experience implementing and growing online and off-site academic programs as a benefit to advancing new, market-driven initiatives at Centenary University.

“Achieving the right mix of on-ground, hybrid, and online courses in this post-pandemic environment is a challenge faced by every college and university,” he said. “Addressing broad sets of challenges in a variety of institutions and situations has allowed me to draw from these experiences in working with and leading colleagues to move universities forward. At Centenary University, this experience will be useful in identifying additional areas of opportunity in the long term.”