Joseph W. Pieri, who has served as assistant director of Educational Support Services, has been appointed the new assistant dean for Undergraduate Studies.

In the Office of Undergraduate Studies and in collaboration with other offices on campus, Pieri will concentrate on program development and advising for second year students. He will play a key role in promoting opportunities such as research, community service, co-op, internships and overseas study, as well as support services. A goal of his position is to increase student engagement and enhance retention.

For the past three years, Pieri has served as assistant director of Educational Support Services, where his responsibilities included the supplemental instruction and tutoring programs and supervision of learning assistants and peer assistants. He has also served as a freshman adviser.

From Northeastern University in Boston, Pieri earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in applied educational psychology and a certificate of advanced graduate study in school psychology. Before coming to CWRU, he gained experience in a variety of university offices at Northeastern and at Boston University, including cooperative education, national testing and disabilities services. For three years he also was a school psychologist.

Pieri will assume full-time duties in the Office of Undergraduate Studies in February. This month he is dividing his time between his old and new positions.