Joseph “Andy” Karafa joins campus from Ferris State University
The State University of New York at Fredonia has named Joseph “Andy” Karafa, Ph.D., as dean of its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the largest college within the Fredonia campus. Dr. Karafa, who joins the campus from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., will begin in his new role on July 1.
Dr. Karafa has served the 14,000-student Ferris State campus system in many capacities since joining the university in 2000. Most recently, he has been interim dean of its College of Arts and Sciences — Ferris State’s largest academic unit — stepping in from his associate dean’s role which he had held since 2012. He had served as the college’s interim dean once before, as well as interim department head of its Mathematics department and its Languages and Literature department at various points since 2012. Karafa first joined Ferris State as an assistant professor of Psychology, eventually rising to head its department of Social Sciences from 2007 to 2012.
From 2008 to 2013, Karafa also served as director of the university’s Jim Crow Museum, which uses racist memorabilia to teach tolerance and promote social justice. There Karafa oversaw operations and a five-year strategic plan, as well as assisted with the design of a new museum space. The experience gives Karafa a unique perspective on and commitment to a variety of diversity issues.
At Fredonia, Karafa will report to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Terry Brown and oversee a college with 16 distinct academic departments as well as a variety of interdisciplinary programs and initiatives serving roughly 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The college works alongside Fredonia’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, College of Education and School of Business in comprising all of the university’s academic units.
“We are pleased to add Dr. Karafa to the Fredonia team,” said Dr. Brown. “He has shown a clear ability to work in many academic disciplines throughout his career and lead a variety of groups during a variety of circumstances. In addition, he has dedicated his career to public higher education, and his scholarship in psychology, including cultural estrangement, along with his commitment to diversity, helped set him apart during our nationwide search, and positions him well to succeed.”
Dr. Karafa’s entire career has been within public higher education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University, before continuing on for a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Kansas State University. He began his professional career as an instructor in the Department of Marketing and International Business at Kansas State in 1999.
“My family and I are very excited to be joining the Fredonia community,” Karafa added. “I look forward to working closely with the faculty, staff and students of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the university. In particular, I am eager to begin conversations with everyone to discuss their aspirations for the college.”
