Alfred University appoints alumnus Mancuso dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies, AUNY

ALFRED, NY – Alfred M. Mancuso, an alumnus of Alfred University, has been appointed dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies, AUNY, effective July 1. Mancuso takes over for Jay Cerio, who is retiring from the dean’s position. Cerio and Robert Bitting, associate director, Graduate and Continuing Studies, established the AUNY program in 2005.

Mancuso earned a master’ degree in school psychology from Alfred University in 2005 and a doctorate in school psychology, also from Alfred University in 2008. He also holds a B.A. degree in psychology from St. John’s University. In his role as dean, he will oversee graduate degree programs in the Division Counseling and School Psychology at Alfred University’s main campus as well as degree programs offered through AUNY.

“Al Mancuso’s academic credentials and experience make him an ideal leader for this portfolio of graduate and undergraduate programs,” said Beth Ann Dobie, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Alfred University. “He has inspirational ideas for the future, and I am looking forward to working with him. Not only is he an AU alum, he has taught for us for many years. Al is a true Alfred person.”

He has been an adjunct faculty member at Alfred University since 2005. In this capacity, Mancuso taught in the areas of psychology, social sciences, school psychology, and mental health counseling, as well as in the AUNY literacy program in Corning.

Mancuso has been a member of the faculty at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, since 2007: as assistant professor of psychology and counseling from 2007-14; as associate professor of psychology and counseling from 2014-20; and as full professor of psychology and counseling since 2020. He is founding director of the School Psychology Doctoral Program at Georgian Court, which enrolled its first cohort of doctoral students in 2019. He has been chairing of the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Georgian Court since 2015. In that role, he leads 13 full-time faculty members as well as seven to 10 adjunct faculty.

Dobie thanked Cerio for the leadership, dedication, collegiality, and adventurous spirit he has exhibited as dean, and in establishing Alfred University’s AUNY programs and developing that academic unit into what it is today.

“Dean Cerio, with Bob Bitting, established our programs in the New York City area,” Dobie said. “He has nurtured and grown those programs over many years. The students adore him, and the faculty will miss him. Jay’s legacy will be thriving programs that serve students who serve our communities. 

Dobie also recognized the search committee for their work toward appointing the new dean. The committee was made up of Robert Stein, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (committee chair); Jalissa Alemany, a student in our AUNY program; alumna Sheren Attal ’11, adjunct faculty, AU-NY; Katey Cisneros, a student in our Division of Counseling and School Psychology; Danielle Cowley, associate professor of education; Kevin Curtin, chair of the Division of Counseling and School Psychology; Bradford Daly, assistant professor of school psychology; and Justin Grigg, assistant dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies.