Patricia Bixel, Ph.D., Named New Dean of the School of Science and Humanities at Husson University
Published on: May 13, 2014
BANGOR, MAINE – Husson University announced today that Patricia Bixel, Ph.D., has been named dean of their School of Science and Humanities.
“Patricia will be an outstanding addition to our team. Her vision, academic qualifications and management expertise make her extraordinarily well suited to lead the School of Science and Humanities,” says Lynne Coy-Ogan, Ed.D., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Husson University.
Prior to joining Husson University, Bixel was an associate academic dean and professor of history at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA). She was promoted to this position after serving for three years as chair of the Department of Arts and Sciences at MMA. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Bixel has taught history, geography, and world politics at Maine Maritime Academy for the past 13 years.
In her new role, Bixel will be the chief administrator for the School of Science and Humanities. She will be responsible for developing a collaborative strategy that inspires and prepares students for both existing careers and those that have not yet been envisioned. As dean, she will also lead and shape the school’s culture while furthering Husson’s strategic objectives and values. In addition, Bixel will be responsible for developing and evaluating faculty, faculty recruitment, and curricula assessment while promoting and supporting scholarship within the university. She will also be responsible for the budgetary planning associated with the School of Science and Humanities. “This is an exciting transition period for the university,” Bixel said, “and the School of Science and Humanities plays a critical role in the success of each student. I look forward to working with such an outstanding and committed faculty.”
Bixel has a Bachelor of Arts in History, Philosophy and Political Science from Rice University where she graduated cum laude (in the top 15 percent of the School of Humanities). She later went on to earn a Master of Arts in History from Duke University and a Ph.D. in History from Rice University.
During her time at Rice University, Bixel was an adjunct instructor as well as assistant editor of the Journal of Southern History where she was responsible for the preparation of articles and book reviews for each quarterly issue.
Prior to joining academia, Bixel served as executive director of the 1877 iron barque Elissa, a 400-ton, three-masted sailing vessel, owned and operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) and was project coordinator for permanent exhibits at the Texas Seaport Museum. While working on her Ph.D., she acted as interim house museum director at the foundation, managing the ongoing operations of two house museums owned and operated by GHF.
Bixel is the author of three books: Seeing the New South: The Photographic Archive of Ulrich Bonnell Phillips, (Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press) 2012; Galveston and the 1900 Storm: Catastrophe and Catalyst, (with Elizabeth Hayes Turner), (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press), 2000; and Sailing Ship Elissa, (College Station, TX.: Texas A&M University Press), 1998; 2nd edition with new preface, 2012. She has also published numerous articles and reviews.
In addition to publishing three books, Bixel has been featured on CSPAN, NPR, CNN, The History Channel and the Discovery Channel.
For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.