Rachel Annunziato, Ph.D., a faculty member in the psychology department, was promoted to vice dean for Undergraduate Education this past spring. 

She began her tenure on July 1, 2025. Annunziato’s appointment comes as a result of the restructuring of Fordham University’s Department of Arts & Sciences. 

A member of Fordham’s faculty since 2008, Annunziato previously served as a professor in the department of psychology, associate dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) and senior associate dean at FCRH.

In an interview with the Fordham Ram, Annunziato reflected on her previous experience in the field of psychology, even before coming to Fordham. 

“I am a licensed clinical psychologist, with a speciality in pediatric psychology, specifically transition[ing] to adulthood and improving health behavior and quality of life for children and adolescents with special health care needs,” Annunziato said in an email. 

For much of her career, she has been based in New York City at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she continues to lead a clinical program for Fordham graduate and undergraduate students. 

During her time as associate dean and senior associate dean, Annunziato reviewed student academic progress and donor relationships. 

“These roles have included oversight of academic processes & policies, running special programs like undergraduate research, fundraising, managing dean’s office staff,” Annunziato said. “And best of all, working closely with our students on events, programming and translating their wonderful ideas into practice.” 

Annunziato also described her transition period into her current role as vice dean. She expressed her gratitude to work alongside new appointments in the department, including Dean of Arts & Sciences Jessica Lang and senior associate deans of Arts & Sciences, Daniel Ott, Ph.D., and David Swinarski, Ph.D. She said she expanded her knowledge of both Fordham campuses upon her promotion. 

“Over the summer months, I loved getting to know [Fordham College at Lincoln Center] more,” Annunziato said. “I feel like I get to experience the best of both worlds and that’s one of my goals for our students too.”

Part of the restructuring included several new appointments with whom Annunziato has worked closely during her tenure. Her responsibilities and tasks included structuring a new team of office staff in the dean’s office, as well as faculty members who assist in operative tasks at both FCRH and Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC). The office has also assisted in guiding faculty through the restructuring process. 

“We also hit the ground running with bolstering faculty major advising and aligning academic processes and programming in the two colleges more so as well,” Annunziato said. 

Even in her new position, Annunziato remains a professor at Fordham. She described this position as close to her heart, and feels it is important to her character to continue teaching. More short-term, the department aspires to implement rigid academic advising for students. 

“One of our short-term goals is to ensure that all students have robust advising from our advising center, faculty and also via our new assistant dean for pre-professional advising,” Annunziato said.

This culmination of academic expertise is projected to be a major benefit for Fordham Arts & Sciences students.

“We also are reviewing academic programming and experiential learning opportunities to better understand areas for alignment, improvements and potentially scaling up,” she said. 

Annunziato also described the importance of surveying students, as she said they are an important part of the department’s overall research and success. Annunziato also looks forward to leading several other tasks in her new role. 

“I look forward most to cherishing every special moment with our students and faculty while also doing everything I can to create more of these,” Annunziato said, citing her desire to make more special moments in the department. 

She said the university remains an important part of her identity. 

“Fordham has been my second home for the past 17 years and I am so eager to contribute to our culture of flourishing and joy,” Annunziato said.