Welcome Dr. Richard Sévère as the New CHESS Dean
Richard Sévère has been announced as the Dean of Purdue University Northwest's College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS), effective July 1, 2025.
Dear Colleagues:
I am delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the search for the Dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS). Please join me in welcoming Dr. Richard Sévère to this role, effective July 1, 2025.
With his experience as an academic and leader, I am confident he will amplify the college’s established reputation, programmatic strengths, and dedication to improving the quality of life and place for our students (many of whom are first-generation college students, adult learners and other non-traditional students), their families, and communities, as well as for our faculty and staff. The timing is particularly important as we begin implementing PNW’s new strategic plan; each college will be expected to align their strategic plans with the university plan.
Dr. Sévère most recently served at Valparaiso University. While there, he held positions as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the department of English and acting chair of the department of Kinesiology. His accomplishments included oversight and leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences’ 17 departments, management of the college’s budget, and growth of research opportunities for faculty members in the college. Dr. Sévère also previously held administrative roles at Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey, where he served as founding director of the Centenary Writing Collaboratory and founding director for the Centenary Scholars Program.
Dr. Sévère earned his Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from Purdue University in West Lafayette. He earned his master’s degree in English Literature Education and his bachelor’s degree in English, both from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical (A&M) University. His impressive work experience is detailed in his CV.
I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Michael Lynn for his excellent service as the interim CHESS Dean during the past several months. I also want to thank the search committee, chaired by Dean Amy Fry, for its time and energy in facilitating this search.
Sincerely,
Marie T. Mora, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs