Delaware Valley University celebrates inauguration of 14th president
Delaware Valley University welcomed its 14th president during an inauguration Friday of Dr. Benjamin E. Rusiloski, who has served the Doylestown university for more than 28 years.
"I'm honored to be selected to build on the work of the presidents who have come before me," said Dr. Rusiloski. "DelVal is a school that I'm proud to have served for so many years. This institution has excellent faculty and staff who are personally invested in the success of each student."
He served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty before his interim appointment in June 21. Last October, the school announced he was the pick for the job after a search. He was responsible for overseeing all academic-related matters, including program development, evaluation, faculty development, and strategic planning for the School of Life and Physical Sciences.
Rusiloski played a significant role in implementing one of DelVal's signature programs that continues to set it apart from other institutions, officials said. The program, Experience360, was established by a task force of faculty, staff and administrators led by Rusiloski to give students real-world experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
Now in its tenth year, Experience360 continues to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in the fields they're most passionate. The implementation of this program ensures that 100 percent of DelVal students gain real-world experience prior to graduation.
"Experience360 set the stage for students to begin building their careers from day one of their education at DelVal not only in their coursework but through an experiential learning program that prepares them and differentiates them from their peers at other institutions. As they head out to their first destination post-graduation, they will be prepared because of their DelVal education," said Dr. Rusiloski.
"Experience360 prepares students to be stronger contributors in the workforce and in graduate school. Employers and graduate schools all give us the same feedback that our program is a differentiator and that DelVal graduates hit the ground running," he said. "As DelVal's 14th president, I look forward to continuing to enhance experiential learning opportunities."
He joined the faculty in 1994 as an assistant professor of chemistry. Since then, he has served as a professor, dean of the School of Life and Physical Sciences and chaired two academic departments. Th university now includes some 2,300 students.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Delaware Valley University celebrates inauguration of 14th president
