Three Rivers Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Farinelli as its new Dean of Academics. He was selected after a national search and started on November 30.

“Rob is a natural and experienced choice to lead our academic affairs department,” said President Mary Ellen Jukoski. “He is a seasoned academic leader from the College of Southern Maryland with thirty years of experience. We are excited to have him join the Three Rivers community and carry on the collegial academic tradition that is a hallmark of our shared governance.”

As the Dean of Academics at Three Rivers, Farinelli will report to the President and administer all aspects of academics affairs, including the development of the leadership team, creation of new academic programs, and the facilitation of student success programs.

Explaining his interest in the position, Farinelli said, “I was drawn to this institution because of its reputation of quality education, strong faculty and commitment to innovation. Helping students achieve their goals has always been a passion and priority of mine. It is always an interesting process to watch them go from high school students to college students to college graduates. One of my biggest beliefs is that access provides education, but completion changes lives.”

Farinelli comes to Three Rivers from the College of Southern Maryland where he served as Associate Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Prior to that, he held the positions of STEM Director; Division Chair of Mathematics, Physics and Engineering; and faculty member of the Mathematics department. He also held the position of Professor of Mathematics at Community College of Allegheny County.

He holds a M.S. in Education from Capella University, a M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University.