Vice Dean Appointments Announced for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Advancement

Steven J. Fluharty, Dean and Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, recently announced two new appointments to the Penn Arts & Sciences Office of the Dean. Dr. Brighid Dwyer was named inaugural Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, effective December 6, and Deborah Rhebergen was named Vice Dean for Advancement, effective August 2, 2021.

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Dwyer joins Penn from Princeton University, where she served as Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life since 2018.

“The depth of Brighid’s experience makes her an outstanding leader, partner, and guide for our community as we continue to work together to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our school,” says Fluharty. In this new role, Dwyer will provide leadership in pursuit of the School’s core commitments to achieving and maintaining excellence through diversity, including those articulated in the SAS Inclusion and Anti-Racism Initiatives published last year. She, and the new School Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that she is charged with establishing, will serve the entire School community, including faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff.

Dwyer brings to Penn 20 years of experience as a practitioner, scholar, and teacher addressing issues of equity in higher education. At Princeton, she supervised the Women’s Center and LGBT Center and worked with a wide range of campus partners to develop and implement strategies and programs that promote an inclusive community. She received her undergraduate degree in sociology from UCLA and a Ph.D. from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan.

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As Vice Dean for Advancement, Rhebergen is directly responsible for the planning and implementation of a comprehensive program of alumni relations, fundraising, and public relations on behalf of the School.

She joined Penn as Associate Vice Dean for Advancement in Arts & Sciences in November 2019. In that role she led the Arts & Sciences major gifts team to the successful conclusion of the Power of Penn Arts & Sciences Campaign. Prior to coming to Penn, she was Assistant Dean of Development and External Relations at the University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, where she oversaw fundraising and outreach efforts for over 80,000 alumni and other constituents, as well as marketing and communication.

Rhebergen holds a master’s degree in education leadership and policy studies from the University of Maryland. She began her career managing political campaigns before returning to work in development at her undergraduate alma mater, Lafayette College.

“We know Deb looks forward to partnering with us on the opportunities ahead,” says Fluharty. “Her personal passion, combined with her strong knowledge of the Penn community, has her well positioned to lead our Advancement Office as we move into what promises to be an exciting new chapter of Penn’s history.”