Dr. Barbra Marinak Serving as Interim Provost

Alejandra Durllard-Rosario

Dr. Barbara Marinak the Dean of the School of Education has been appointed as the interim provost of the Mount as Dr. Boyd Creasman concludes his term and transitions back to the faculty.  

Dr. Creasman’s contributions have been significant and the university is grateful for his continued involvement as a faculty member. Dr. Marinak’s appointment is a key step in maintaining continuity and furthering the university's mission as it faces future challenges and opportunities.  

Dr. Creasman in describing Dr. Marinak highlighted her exceptional qualities. He stated, “She is experienced, hardworking, knowledgeable and creative.” Over the past several months, President Joyce has observed Dr. Marinak’s strong leadership, particularly her contributions to the Strategic Planning Committee.

Dr. Creasman also emphasized the importance of empowering talented staff, advising, “It’s a big job, so it’s important to empower the talented employees around you to do their best.”  

Dr. Marinak has been a part of the university since 2011 rising from an associate professor to the chair of the Education Department. She later became a professor and the dean in 2017. Throughout her career, she has built a nationally recognized research portfolio on literacy and motivation.

Her work has significantly impacted the university’s accreditation processes and the integration of instructional technology during the pandemic. In the past three years, Dr. Marinak has helped secure over $2 million in grants, further enhancing the university’s academic and financial stability.  

As Dr. Creasman transitions to a full-time teaching role he reflects on his tenure with a focus on student success. He states, “I tried hard to instill the importance of becoming champions for student success, inside and outside the classroom.” Dr. Marinak will continue this commitment to student success while also focusing on strengthening recruitment and retention efforts.  

In her new role, Dr. Marinak will also oversee the launch of new academic programs across campus. This will include undergraduate majors in finance and graphic design as well as a graduate physician assistant program. These programs are a direct response to the growing demand for specialized skills in the workforce and will further diversify the university’s academic offerings.  

Dr. Brown Hobbs who has worked closely with Dr. Marinak since she first started at the university, shared her excitement about Dr. Marinak’s new role as provost. Dr. Brown Hobbs stated,  “I am absolutely excited to see Dr. Marinak move into the role of Provost. Although I will greatly miss working directly with her in the School of Education, I believe she has the experiences and skill base to effectively oversee academic matters, faculty development, and student success in a collaborative manner that will greatly support the mission of the Mount.”  

Dr. Hobbs described Dr. Marinak as “innovative and caring” along with praising her ability to think outside the box. She continued, “She sets high expectations, but she is very willing to jump in and do more than her fair share of the work. Her motto is to lead by example, and she certainly has been a role model to my colleagues and to me.”  

Dr. Hobbs emphasized that Dr. Marinak has been an advocate for students and has worked tirelessly to ensure the School of Education remains a model program, preparing students to be proficient, ethical, adaptive, reflective and leading professionals in the field of education. Dr. Marinak’s leadership will continue to be instrumental in the university's growth and success.  

As Dr. Marinak steps into this important role, her leadership and commitment to student success will ensure that Mount St. Mary’s University remains on a path of growth and excellence.