Norwich University Announces New Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Lutnesky’s appointment comes after a rigorous nationwide search which attracted exceptionally qualified candidates from around the country. He holds a PhD from the University of Hawaii and boasts a distinguished career in academic leadership. With over twenty years of experience, he has established an impressive portfolio, marked by numerous publications and extensive research expertise.

Dr. Lutnesky shared his enthusiasm for joining the Norwich community, stating: "I am very excited to join Norwich University. I look forward to fostering a strong, collaborative environment across the diverse disciplines of the College of Arts and Sciences to develop future leaders. I know I will be working with a team of colleagues committed to cultivating graduates who act with courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and a dedication to serving ideals greater than themselves."

Prior to his appointment to this pivotal role at Norwich University, Dr. Lutnesky served as the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA). As the Chair of various departments in Science and Mathematics, he successfully led the expansion of several BAAS, BA, BS, and MS degree programs, significantly contributing to the University’s growth.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Lutnesky boasts a dynamic teaching portfolio that encompasses both undergraduate and graduate programs. He incorporates an experiential learning, hands-on, research-orientated learning style in order to help foster an understanding of both theoretical and empirical topics for the students. In recognition of his contributions to the field of academia while at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), he was recognized with an Outstanding Advisor of the Year award. In addition, he was further honored, winning the ENMU’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Research, an accolade emphasizing his commitment to scientific discovery. Alongside his dedication to expanding access to STEM disciplines, he has successfully secured over $1M in federal funding to foster student research experiences.

As the Chair of Biology and Director of the Natural History Museum at ENMU, he demonstrated a commitment to intertwining educational pursuits with community engagement. Each year, the Museum Exhibit attracted thousands of young learners interested in observing New Mexico’s diverse aquatic life, including alligators and snakes. His efforts were instrumental in promoting scientific curiosity amongst the young minds.

Dr. Lutnesky goes beyond his teaching and research duties, proving to be an active and dedicated member of the university community. Throughout his devoted career, he has been an integral part of multiple key university committees, often as the chair, which routinely handled different strategic aspects such as accreditation, administrative appointments, AI integration, and the Counting Year Task Force – a crucial element for funding. Dr. Lutnesky’s service extends to budget planning, national (CCAS) development workshops for department chairs, and peer review and Steering Committee work for prestigious organizations like NSF and NIH. He firmly believes in a holistic approach and fostering a balanced academic environment that values all faculty, staff, and students.