Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University has appointed two experienced academic leaders to guide its schools of Health Sciences and Business as both enter periods of growth focused on expanding academic opportunities, strengthening industry partnerships and preparing students for high-demand careers.

Shannon “Nikki” Clifford now leads the School of Health Sciences, and Dennis Yu is the new head of the School of Business. Both started on July 13.

“We are delighted to welcome Shannon and Dennis to Stockton University. Their leadership, vision and commitment to student success will strengthen our academic programs and deepen our impact in the region,” said Michael Palladino, Stockton’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Together, they will play a vital role in shaping the future of Stockton and supporting our mission of excellence, access and opportunity for all students.”

Clifford comes to Stockton from Monmouth University in West Long Branch where she served as the acting dean for the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Scholarship and Strategic Initiatives since 2022. She led school-wide initiatives focused on strategic planning, faculty development, succession planning and student success. She also recently served as a committee co-chair for Monmouth's recent reaccreditation review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

For Clifford, the appointment is also something of a homecoming. Born and raised in Northfield, she is a graduate of Mainland Regional High School and once worked as a lifeguard for the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, patrolling the very stretch of beach that now sits in front of Stockton's Atlantic City campus.

“I’m a local kid. I grew up here, I learned to swim and work on these beaches, and now, after 25 years building a career in higher education, I have the chance to come back and invest that experience in the community that shaped me. That's not something I take lightly,” she said. “Stockton’s strong commitment to student success, community engagement and innovative health education aligns deeply with my own values. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to build on the school's strengths, expand opportunities for experiential learning, and prepare the next generation of health professionals to meet the evolving needs of our communities."

This includes advancing the vision for the new Stockton-AtlantiCare College of Community Health in Atlantic City, announced in May.

“I am excited to be part of such a pivotal moment at the university, as we expand our impact through this new partnership,” she said. “Together with AtlantiCare, we have an opportunity to create stronger connections between the classroom and clinical practice and expand workforce opportunities for students. For me, this work is personal. It's a chance to help improve healthcare access in the region I call home."

Before joining Stockton, Yu was the Director of Assessment and Accreditation and a Professor of Operations and Information Systems in the Reh School of Business at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He previously served as the Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research.

He has extensive experience in accreditation and assessment, including leading Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB) reviews and contributing to Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) reaccreditation processes.

“As Dean, my priority is to elevate the School of Business into a premier destination for business education and a recognized powerhouse in South Jersey, known for academic excellence, career-ready graduates, innovative programs, impactful research, strong industry partnerships and meaningful community engagement,” Yu said. “Our vision is to ensure that every graduate leaves Stockton not only with a degree but also with the knowledge, skills, experiences and professional network to build a successful, meaningful career.”

The School of Health Sciences offers undergraduate programs in Exercise Science, Health Science, Nursing and Public Health, master’s programs in Speech Language Pathology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Public Health and doctoral programs in Nursing Practice and Physical Therapy.

The School of Business programs are AACSB-accredited and include undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Computer Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Esports Management, Finance, Hemp and Cannabis Business Management and Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management. It also offers graduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration and Business Administration in Healthcare Administration and Leadership.

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Abbigail Erbacher and Bernard DeLury