Allyson Lowe Named Inaugural Dean of Carlow’s College of Leadership and Social Change
An Accomplished Scholar and Collaborative Strategic Leader, She Has Been at Carlow Since 2009
Pittsburgh Pa. – Allyson M. Lowe, PhD, has been named inaugural dean of the College of Leadership and Social Change at Carlow University effective July 1, 2015. She has been serving as Interim Dean of the College since 2014 and as a faculty member at the institution since 2009.
“Carlow’s vision for the College of Leadership and Social Change is to be a leader in advancing and building on the excellence of the programs in the new College with new and innovative approaches that prepare graduates who make a difference in the workforce and in the communities in which they live. The inaugural dean needs to be a bold thinker and consummate collaborator who is able to lead the College in this time of rapid change and globalization,” said Carlow University President Suzanne Mellon, PhD. “We are pleased that Dr. Lowe will work with colleagues in this leadership role and will build on her commitment to faculty and students to further excellence in teaching and learning at Carlow.”
First and foremost committed to students and the faculty who teach them, during her tenure at Carlow, Lowe has re-envisioned programmatic delivery to better serve the institution’s diverse student populations, and strategically reach new demographics through online offerings. She also facilitated the former School for Social Change’s development of a learner-centered curriculum with high-impact practices for all majors and deciding students. These practices include a cohort model, a scaffolded and writing-intensive curriculum and integration into the majors.
Astutely aware that collaborative programming drives recruitment, Lowe directed the creation of several programs that allow Carlow students to complete graduate and professional study in less time, including the early assurance program with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and other articulation agreements.
“Dr. Lowe is an established academic leader who is well-respected within the campus community and beyond,” said Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Deanne D’Emilio, JD. “She is deeply committed to Carlow’s growth and to fostering an environment where students are active citizens in their communities.”
Lowe has held numerous faculty and leadership positions in her 13 years in academia and previously served as Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy for five years and held the Elsie Hillman Chair in Politics at Chatham University.
An accomplished scholar and collaborative strategic leader, Lowe has been continuously involved in the creation of programs that energize democratic civic participation, especially among women. Her research interests include advocacy, international affairs, and marginalized populations, especially women and politics in the United States and abroad.
Lowe received a PhD and Master of Arts in Political Science from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Miami University. Her many honors include being a recipient of Carlow’s Sisters of Mercy Award for Excellence in Advising and a Fulbright Award. Pittsburgh Magazine has named her and a “40 under 40” award winner and one of the “Best Professors in Pittsburgh.”
In 2014, a faculty-driven initiative led to the reorganization of Carlow’s existing academic structure and the creation of three new colleges. Designed to foster distinctive learning, diversify programs and formats, and grow partnerships, this new academic structure will propel the University forward into the future aligned with the strategic plan and new vision. The College of Leadership and Social Change is comprised of all programs currently in Management, Social Work, Psychology, Communication, Justice Studies (Political Science, Sociology, Criminal Justice), the Hopkins Lab, and Service Learning.