1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Faculty & Staff

Moloney named as Transylvania’s new VP for marketing and communications

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University has named Megan Moloney as the institution’s vice president for marketing and communications, effective July 23. During her career Moloney has filled multiple communications and public relations roles for the federal government, including as the director of digital media engagement for the Department of Veterans Affairs and as a public affairs specialist for the Secret Service. She also served as the press secretary for the government’s multi-departmental response to the Deepwater Horizon incident and as a staff member in the White House’s Office of the Press Secretary. She began her career as a producer, anchor and reporter in Oxford, Ohio, and Lexington, Ky., where she worked for WVLK-AM/FM, WLEX-TV and Kentucky Educational Television. “I am truly honored to join President Seamus Carey and the university’s administration in serving the Transylvania family. As someone who grew up in Lexington aware of the school’s historic place in the community, I look forward to working with the university’s faculty, staff, students, alumni and board members to share the stories that make Transylvania a college like no other.” As a member of the president’s cabinet, Moloney will play a key role in the communication and implementation of the university’s strategic plan, which is currently under development. She will also work closely with admissions and advancement staff as they chart the future for the 238-year-old institution. “Megan brings an impressive array of experience to the position as well as a deep appreciation

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Taran McZee begins as AVP for Diversity and Inclusion

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Taran McZee joined Transylvania University May 1 as associate vice president for diversity and inclusion, serving on President Seamus Carey’s cabinet. He has spent nearly 15 years leading diversity, inclusion and equity efforts in higher education, and Transylvania is thrilled to bring his experience to campus. What drew you to Transylvania? I was chosen to participate in the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s (NADOHE) first Standards of Professional Practice Institute. It was a four-day curriculum developed by the top vice presidents and chief diversity officers across the nation. I was learning from some of the top inclusion and equity people in the nation, and after my four days, I was told by three of them that I’m ready to be a chief diversity officer. I told my mentor that if I got the opportunity to go to a private liberal arts institution, I was going to look into it. Two things stuck out to me about Transy: Project One, and the fact that this was an inaugural position. I have the opportunity to shape diversity, inclusion and equity for the institution with the help of faculty, staff, administration and students. I have the opportunity to shape it from what I’ve learned the last 15 years in higher education doing diversity, multiculturalism, LGBTQA and equity work. What have been your first impressions? It’s a beautiful campus. There’s genuine southern hospitality. And overall, people want to see student success,

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McZee named associate vice president for diversity and inclusion

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Taran McZee has been named Transylvania University’s new associate vice president for diversity and inclusion.  McZee, who will begin this spring, has more than 12 years of higher education experience in diversity and inclusion services, multicultural affairs and international programs—most recently at Grand Valley State University. “I’m very excited about this great opportunity at Transylvania University, and I’m ready to push Transy to the next phase of diversity and inclusion,” he said. McZee will deepen the university’s commitment to the values of its Project One initiative, which cultivates a campus community characterized by compassion, respect, ethical concern and social responsibility. Transylvania President Seamus Carey said McZee can help the university foster these values through innovative initiatives and building meaningful relationships. “He is passionate about students from all backgrounds, and about working with offices across campus to achieve our diversity and inclusion goals.” 

Transylvania professor receives John William Miller Research Fellowship

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

Williamstown, Mass.—Peter S. Fosl, professor of philosophy at Transylvania University, has been selected as the next recipient of the John William Miller Research Fellowship. The John William Miller Fellowship Fund offers financial backing to scholars researching and writing book-length works addressing the philosophy of John William Miller. With the support of the Fellowship Fund, Fosl will explore the place of philosophical skepticism in Miller’s work. In his planned book, he will draw on Miller’s conceptions of the midworld, the act and criticism articulated in Miller’s five books, including “The Paradox of Cause,” and “The Task of Criticism.” “I am deeply honored to be named the next Miller Fellow and have the opportunity to devote a year of scholarly writing and inquiry in order to better understand the distinctive way Miller’s thought illuminates and responds to the challenges of skepticism,” Fosl said. “Miller’s student, Joseph P. Fell, introduced me to Miller’s thinking and set the coordinates of my philosophical life while I was a philosophy student at Bucknell in the early 1980s. Now, after ranging across the history of philosophy for more than 30 years, I am eager to return to the seminal thoughts of Miller and Fell, and consider them afresh.”  The $45,000 award allows worthy scholars the means to devote substantial time to research and writing. “Professor Fosl has proposed a work that will both explore and challenge the premises of Miller’s thought,” said Michael J. McGandy, chair of

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Transylvania hires VP for advancement

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University has hired Martin W. Smith to serve as vice president for advancement. Smith comes to Transylvania from Illinois Wesleyan University, where as vice president for advancement he increased total giving by more than $10 million in the past five years. “I’m excited for this opportunity to help Transylvania prosper as one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges,” Smith said. “I’ll work hard to ensure not only that current and future Pioneers continue to receive the resources needed for the best possible education, but also that alumni maintain strong bonds with the university that made them who they are today.” Smith will begin at Transylvania on Aug. 1. At Illinois Wesleyan he led the largest campaign in the school’s history, raising $141 million for scholarships, professorships, facilities and the endowment. Smith’s duties at Transylvania will include securing major gifts, endowed support and annual giving; helping lead the university’s upcoming major capital campaign; and overseeing Transylvania’s development, alumni and parent programs. Additionally, he will foster relations with businesses and organizations and serve on the president’s cabinet, where he will contribute to decisions that affect the university as a whole. Smith’s extensive experience in higher education includes serving as vice president for university advancement at Ottawa (Kan.) University, where he also was director of major gifts, campaigns, development, athletics and public relations. Additionally, he was director of athletics for Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind. Smith earned a Bachelor

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