Brenau University has appointed Deirdre Cassell as assistant vice president of the Undergraduate School & The Women’s College, effective June 2. Cassell earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The Women’s College in 2013 and completed the Honors Program.
In her new role, Cassell will maintain oversight of current initiatives while supporting several key programs, including the Executive MBA for Women, the GOLD co-curricular program, the Women’s College Ideal Collective, the Honors program and First-year Experience.
She will assume oversight of The Women’s College upon the retirement of Debra Dobkins, Ph.D., after 27 years at Brenau, including most recently as assistant vice president and dean of The Women’s College.
Cassell’s career at Brenau began as laboratory director in the Department of Math & Science. She became a full-time chemistry instructor in 2017 and was promoted to assistant professor in 2021. In 2018, she expanded her role to include administrative leadership in academic affairs. As coordinator of special projects for the Provost’s Office, she chaired the Student Success Team, coordinated the Arader Arts & Sciences Collaborative, and served as campus liaison and faculty fellow for the Sullivan Foundation. She was appointed the executive director of academic initiatives and student success in June 2021.