Dean Melanie Blood (SUNY Geneseo/Matt Burkhartt
Melanie Blood, PhD, has been appointed as SUNY Geneseo’s inaugural dean for workforce development and associate provost for curriculum, effective August 1. This new role reflects Geneseo’s shared commitment to preparing students for an evolving world of work while upholding Geneseo’s academic excellence and our identity as an equity-centered public honors liberal arts college. With this appointment, Blood will provide strategic leadership at the intersection of liberal arts education and workforce development.
“Dr. Blood brings exceptional experience in curriculum development and a deep understanding of how liberal arts education prepares students for meaningful careers,” says Mary C. Toale, EdD, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “She understands how to bridge the gap between rigorous liberal arts education and career readiness, and her appointment reflects our commitment to positioning SUNY Geneseo as a leader in innovative career readiness while maintaining our academic excellence and commitment to our region and state.”
The new unit at Geneseo aligns closely with the emphasis both New York State and SUNY have placed on workforce development as a strategic imperative. Blood will focus on expanding experiential learning opportunities, developing industry partnerships, and creating pathways that serve both traditional students and working adults. She will provide strategic leadership for curriculum innovation and serve as a key member of the provost’s executive leadership team, collaborating with the deans of Geneseo’s three schools to identify opportunities in graduate education, certificate programs, and online learning.
“I am excited to take on a new role at Geneseo that will center workforce development in our liberal arts mission,” says Blood. “At Geneseo, we have always prepared our students for careers, engaged citizenship, and lifelong learning. I look forward to the opportunity to work with campus constituents and to develop partnerships with external organizations in this new role.”
Blood has served on the faculty of SUNY Geneseo since 1995 and has held various leadership roles, most recently as the associate provost for assessment and curriculum. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Dartmouth College as well as a master’s degree in theatre and a doctoral degree in theatre and drama, both from Northwestern University.