New York University President John Sexton today named Michael C. Alfano, D.M.D., Ph.D., who has been dean of NYU’s College of Dentistry since 1998, to the post of executive vice president of NYU. As executive vice president, he will oversee the University’s budget and finance operations, the human relations division, and the real estate, planning, and construction operations. Dr. Alfano, whose career has included significant posts in both academics and business, will start in the new position on July 17, 2006.
New York University President John Sexton today named Michael C. Alfano, D.M.D., Ph.D., who has been dean of NYU’s College of Dentistry since 1998, to the post of executive vice president of NYU. As executive vice president, he will oversee the University’s budget and finance operations, the human relations division, and the real estate, planning, and construction operations. Dr. Alfano, whose career has included significant posts in both academics and business, will start in the new position on July 17, 2006.
Dr. Alfano will be succeeding Jacob Lew, who has served as the University’s executive vice president since 2001. Mr. Lew is leaving NYU to take a position in the private sector.
Dr. Sexton said, “I am very pleased that Michael Alfano, who has had an outstanding record of achievement as dean of NYU’s College of Dentistry after a career that included impressive responsibilities in both academe and the private sector, has agreed to accept my request that he assume the assignment of executive vice president. As dean, he has been an extraordinary leader: admissions has become more selective and competitive; new roles for dentists and new models for health care education have been embraced; dental care for poor New Yorkers has been expanded; fundraising has been unprecedented, leading to the creation of important new facilities; and the Dental College has emerged as an important center for health care research. Between his background, his familiarity with NYU, his commitment to the University’s academic advancement, and his talent for entrepreneurship and collegiality, it would have been all but impossible to find a better candidate for this position than Mike.
“The University is very fortunate to be able to turn to such a person, because the departure of Jack Lew leaves a large hole to be filled in the NYU community. Jack - who came to NYU from President Clinton’s cabinet, where he was Director of the Office of Management and Budget - has brought extraordinary integrity, experience, and leadership to his post over these past five years. He was a key architect in setting and achieving our goals and in helping us successfully confront our challenges, and his legacy will be felt for many years.
“On behalf of the entire NYU community, I would like to thank both Jack and Mike for the service they have given and continue to give NYU, and congratulate them on their new posts.”
Dr. Alfano has been dean of the NYU College of Dentistry since 1998, and a professor of periodontics and biological sciences there. Prior to that, he served in a number of leadership positions with the Block Drug Company, Inc., including the presidency of the Block Professional Dental Products Company; Senior Vice President for Research and Technology; Scientific Affairs Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer; and membership on the Board of Directors, among other posts. Prior to that experience, he was a tenured professor of periodontics and oral medicine at the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry, where he also served as Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Affairs and Research.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon; the Distinguished Alumnus Award for the University of Medicine and Dentistry; the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine; appointment to the National Institutes of Health’s National Advisory Dental Research Council; honorary life membership by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists; honorary membership in the American Academy of Oral Medicine; the Jack Hein Public Service Award of the American Association for Dental Research; and the Edward Shils Award from the American Dental Association Foundation, among many others. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, and has served on a number of prominent national committees.
Dr. Alfano’s research and areas of interest include improving the quality and efficiency of higher education, especially dental education; enhancing oral and general health through better therapy, public education, and challenging the dental profession; evaluation of new products for the personal care, dental, and pharmaceutical industries; pathogenesis and therapy of periodontal disease; and nutrition in oral health. He is the author of numerous original journal articles, texts, book chapters, and magazine articles, and he holds several patents.
He received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, his D.M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a trainee in periodontics at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and he received his certificate in periodontics from the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry.
New York University is located in the heart of Greenwich Village. Founded in 1831, NYU is this year celebrating its 175th anniversary. It is one of America’s leading research universities and a member of the selective Association of American Universities. It is one of the largest private universities, it is a leader in attracting international students and scholars in the U.S, and it sends more students to study abroad than any other U.S. college or university. Through its 14 schools and colleges, NYU conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, dentistry, education, nursing, the cinematic and performing arts, music, public administration, social work, and continuing and professional studies, among other areas.