Meet the Dean: A Chat With Jennifer Lancaster, PhD

Adelphi University has a dynamic new leader overseeing the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS) and its exciting new Manhattan Center: Jennifer Lancaster, PhD.

Adelphi University has a dynamic new leader overseeing the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS) and its exciting new Manhattan Center: Jennifer Lancaster, PhD. While she's focused on high-tech learning and strategic growth, her professional chops are balanced by a refreshingly lighthearted approach (and a deep bench of movie quotes). We sat down with the new dean to talk about her vision for nontraditional students, the excitement of a new urban campus and which everyday superpower she wishes she had. Spoiler alert: She would whoosh away your Zoom glitches if she could.

Q. I'd like to start with a silly (yet often revealing!) question. What's a mundane superpower you'd choose-like making traffic lights turn green?

A. I often wish I could wave a magic wand and solve any glitches with technology. Can't find a file? Whoosh! Can't hear your colleagues on Zoom? Whoosh! Can't get your Bluetooth to connect? Whoosh!

Q. Okay, now we'll get to business. Can you share a little bit about yourself, your past roles and your educational background?

A. I moved to New York from Florida for graduate school at Hofstra, thinking I would go back as soon as I was finished. So many years later, here I still am, loving everything about it. After I received my PhD, I was lucky enough to secure a faculty position, which I still believe is the best job ever, and worked in a private practice. Once I moved into administration, I worked less in practice but I really enjoyed helping to move an institution along toward strategic goals in a more holistic way.

Somewhere in there, I also got married and became part of a family with seven nieces and nephews.

Q. You completed your doctorate in psychology. If your doctoral thesis/dissertation had a theme song, what would it be?

A. The first thing that pops into my mind here is "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne as I reflect on the process. But since my study was on learning and memory, I'd have to go with "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds.

Q. What does your new role at Adelphi involve?

A. Well I have two roles actually. One is to oversee the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, which houses Adelphi's fully online undergraduate programs (Adelphi Online) as well as noncredit professional development and certificate programs. We are very excited to promote these degree programs designed for adult learners and working professionals.

The other role is as executive director of Adelphi's new Manhattan Center, opening fully in Fall 2026. In this work, I am facilitating all degree programs, events and other happenings in this brand-new space. You can check out our website for more information on this beautiful new location and the programs we will offer.

Q. What drew you to this opportunity?

A. Living on Long Island for so long, I always knew about Adelphi's strong reputation, which has only grown in recent years. But when you look closer, I think Adelphi has so much to offer students. I heard the University described by one of my new colleagues as "high tech and high touch," which I think describes it so well-it is large enough that students can avail themselves of so many opportunities, but sufficiently small that the work is still personal and the relationships can be developed. To me, a truly special and elite university should have both, and I am so grateful that I have an opportunity to work to help achieve the goals of not only the CPCS, but also the University.

Q. What are you most excited about accomplishing at Adelphi?

A. This is like being asked which one of your kids you like more! I am excited by the potential of CPCS to really serve our nontraditional students, providing opportunities for folks who maybe did not take a traditional path to college or career, to change the trajectory, for themselves and their families. To me, social mobility is a key function of any institution of higher education, so I am excited to partner with other schools to provide the best of these opportunities, in the credit and noncredit space.

I would also say I am excited about the opening of the Manhattan Center for several reasons. One is that I believe it will secure Adelphi's place in the broader education landscape and draw more students to discover this gem of an institution. And this is quite a community effort too, with so many departments and people involved-showing the power of our community in working together to accomplish something great-not only a brand-new shiny space, but in form and function designed for higher education in the 21st century. And I know that we will have exciting academic programs to showcase the best graduate and professional programs the University has to offer.

Q. Finally, to end on a light note, do you have any nonwork talents that are absolutely useless to your role as dean?

A. You know I have a propensity for remembering lines from movies; none of which really come in handy in my work as a dean, but fun to use occasionally to break the ice … "Leave the gun, take the cannoli!"