From: The Provost
Purpose: a special thanks
Thank you to Jennifer Knack for her interim leadership of the Clarkson School
With the announcement of the appointment of Professor Ben Galluzzo as the permanent Head of the Clarkson School I would like to now celebrate and extend sincere thanks to Professor Jennifer Knack for her interim leadership of the School.
Professor Knack, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, is a significant scholar of adolescent behavior. She is widely regarded as a primary leader in the study of the impacts of bullying and the interactive impacts of these behaviors on adolescent self-perception. She brought to the Clarkson School her deep understanding of the late adolescent psyche as well as her extraordinary mentoring skills at a time when we needed her the most.
As we transitioned to the COVID-19 spring Professor Knack ably and caringly stewarded our Clarkson School students ensuring that they maintained their connections to each other and to the staff and faculty. Her peers on the Deans Council as well as myself counted on her for her wisdom and understanding of the student experience as we moved into the COVID-19 Spring and Fall terms.
Under Professor Knack’s leadership and vision and that of her team our Clarkson School students continued to thrive. At the virtual commencement it was evident that the cohort of graduating students held a deep and abiding appreciation for all that Professor Knack and her team provided to support their success. Her peers on the Provosts and Deans Councils remark on her “team spirit” and her evident “passion for higher education” as well as her talent for “bringing out the best everyone she works with”.
As Provost I could not have asked for a better person to lead the Clarkson School this past year. Thank you seems inadequate but will have to suffice. I hope you all will join me in extending your appreciation to a colleague who stepped into a leadership role and demonstrate grace and strength throughout her tenure as Interim Head of the Clarkson School.