Ramapo College of New Jersey Friday announced the appointment of Dr. Benny Chan, Ph.D., a distinguished teacher-scholar in inorganic chemistry, as dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science at Ramapo College of New Jersey, effective July 1. He will become the first Asian person to ascend to the level of dean at Ramapo. Chan succeeds Dr. Edward T. Saiff, who serves as interim dean. Saiff will continue to be part of the Ramapo community as he rejoins the faculty in the department of biology.
As dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science, Chan will provide strategic and academic leadership for the school, guiding its 34 undergraduate and graduate programs including biochemistry and chemistry, cybersecurity, nursing, and other related academic programs in the natural and environmental sciences. The school is also home to the Center for Data, Mathematical, and Computational Sciences.
“Dr. Chan’s leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and securing external funding for research initiatives provide strong experience to lead our School of Theoretical and Applied Science in expanding its impact within Ramapo and in the community,” said Ramapo College Provost Michael Middleton. “Dr. Chan has also demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement throughout his career. Those values embody the mission and goals of Ramapo and will contribute to achieving national distinction as a public liberal arts college.”
Chan is a professor of chemistry and currently serves as chairperson of that department at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. He has been cited for his contributions to STEM education. Chan has been a co-principal investigator of grants awarded by the National Science Foundation.
In 2020, he was named a fellow of American Chemical Society for his work in solid-state chemistry, as well as for his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged or historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Chan recently led the development of the workshop “The Science of Managing Diverse and Inclusive Teams,” which is now part of the ACS leadership development program.
“I am ecstatic to be a Roadrunner by combining my love of the liberal arts education and serving the State of New Jersey,” said Chan. “There is huge potential for the hidden gem that is Ramapo to reach national recognition through high-impact teaching and mentoring of TAS students.”
Chan earned his doctorate in chemistry from The Pennsylvania State University in 2003, and his bachelor’s degree in chemistry with honors from Franklin and Marshall College in 1996.
