Leadership
Merkhofer becomes VP of Academic Affairs
Photos by Lee Ferris
Evan Merkhofer, an esteemed Biology professor and administrator at the Mount, was recently named Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA).
As VPAA, Merkhofer serves as the Chief Academic Officer, providing leadership and direction for academic affairs. He is responsible for the administration of all academics at the college, including the Mount’s School of Business, School of Nursing, and School of Arts, Sciences, and Education.
“The Mount is a leader of higher education in the Hudson Valley, and I’m very excited for the opportunity to help it thrive,” said Merkhofer. “I look forward to continuing to support the Mount’s strong academic portfolio, offering students a high-quality education with personalized attention from our faculty.”
Merkhofer was named Interim VPAA in August of 2023 before taking on his current role.
“During the past year and a half, Evan has shown excellent leadership as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, implementing effective strategies and moving the college forward on multiple fronts,” said Dr. Robert Gervasi, President of the Mount. “His tireless work ethic and dedication to our students has guided his efforts.”
Since his arrival in 2014, Merkhofer has been a highly-engaged member of the Mount community. In addition to his work as a Biology professor, he has served as director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), coordinator of the Investigating Research on Campus (iROC) speaker series, and chair of the Division of Natural Sciences.
Merkhofer graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2002. He earned a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010, where he studied the role of transcription factors in breast cancer. He subsequently completed an IRACDA fellowship at the University of California-San Diego.
McCorvey named Vice President for Student Affairs
Photos by Lee Ferris
Mount Saint Mary College is pleased to announce the appointment of Alisha Williams-McCorvey as its new Vice President for Student Affairs.
McCorvey previously served as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Title IX, and as Chief Diversity Officer, demonstrating exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to student success. Her extensive experience and dedication to the well-being and advancement of students make her an invaluable addition to the college’s leadership.
In her new role, McCorvey will oversee departmental compliance with applicable state and federal laws, coordinate student crisis management, and provide leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of student affairs policies. She will also collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and community members to proactively create usable, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments by advising pertinent administrators, staff, and faculty.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of Vice President for Student Affairs,” said McCorvey. “I’m eager to build upon the Mount’s commitment to student success, well-being, and fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.”
In addition to her responsibilities as Vice President for Student Affairs, McCorvey is an adjunct professor in the Division of Social Sciences at the Mount. She holds a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from Fordham University’s Division of Educational Leadership in Administration and Policy. She also earned an Advanced Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education, a Master of Social Work from Marywood University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Work from SUNY New Paltz.
Prior to her work at the Mount, she spent 18 years as a school social worker and 6 years as a principal and as an Administrator of Special Education in K-12 districts.
McCorvey is married and has two daughters, Madison and Morgan, who are in middle school and high school. Her family also includes a bunny, one guinea pig, two parakeets, and her beloved dog, Penelope.
Bready becomes Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Education
Photos by Lee Ferris
Jen Bready, a longtime professor of Mathematics, has been appointed Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education (SASE).
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Bready had served as the Interim SASE Dean for the last ten months before taking on her current role.
Bready “has shown great leadership as the Interim Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, providing guidance for the multiple academic areas within the school,” said Evan Merkhofer, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “With her more than 25 years at the Mount, Dr. Bready brings invaluable experience and institutional knowledge to this role. She has received strong endorsement from faculty and administrators, and has consistently demonstrated her dedication to the Mount through her countless contributions.”
Bready joined the Mount as a full-time faculty member in 1999. She primarily teaches Elementary and Applied Statistics, Math for Elementary School Teachers, Calculus III, Introduction to Cryptology, and Number Theory.
In her time at the Mount, Bready received both the Student Government Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022 and the Most Valuable Professor award in 2021.
Before coming to the Mount, Bready earned a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Arts from New York University. She also received a Bachelor in Business Administration from Pace University.
Economics professor named to IACBE board
Photo by Lee Ferris
Akm Rezaul Hossain, a professor of Economics at the Mount, was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
The IACBE is a global programmatic accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Its mission is to advance academic quality in business programs through evidence-based accreditation that encourages institutions to build unique educational models to reflect their mission and vision.
“I wanted to join the IACBE board to contribute to the advancement of outcomes-based business education and support continuous improvement across member institutions,” noted Hossain. “I believe in IACBE’s mission, and value the collaborative environment it fosters among academic institutions.”
The IACBE board is responsible for the general governance and oversight of the affairs of the IACBE and for establishing its policies and procedures.
Hossain began serving his first three-year term in April 2025. He represents the Middle States regional assembly.
“In this role, I hope to help strengthen accreditation standards, share best practices, and promote innovation in curriculum and assessment,” said Hossain. “I also look forward to engaging with fellow board members to support institutions in meeting the evolving needs of students and the business community.”
He added, “I’m grateful to the students and faculty at the School of Business and the Mount for their commitment to excellence in business education and for supporting me in serving as IACBE’s lead coordinator.”
With nearly 20 years of academic and administrative leadership experience, Hossain played a pivotal role in achieving IACBE re-accreditation at the Mount, modernizing the college’s CPA-aligned accounting curriculum, and launching new programs in Healthcare and Sports Management.
