Graduate Dean Vivian Vidoli to retire

Dr. Vivian A. Vidoli, dean of the Division of Graduate Studies at California State University, Fresno for the last 28 years and a nationally recognized leader in graduate education, will retire effective at the end of the 2005-06 academic year.

Vidoli is credited with expanding and enhancing graduate education at Fresno State, and serving as a mentor to many Fresno State faculty members and other graduate deans in the California State University system.

“During her tenure as our graduate dean, the university adopted 22 new master’s degrees; obtained approval for several interdisciplinary master’s degrees; and introduced two professional science master’s degree, one joint doctorate in educational leadership and our first fully online degree program,” said Dr. Jeri Echeverria, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

In addition, Vidoli was responsible for bringing to Fresno State the federally funded Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, designed to encourage low-income individuals who are first-generation college students and/or traditionally underrepresented in graduate education to pursue doctoral study.

In 2002, she was among seven deans from institutions across the United States invited to participate in a new initiative to encourage diversity in graduate education. The Council of Graduate Schools, based in Washington D.C., issued the invitation to Vidoli, based on Fresno State’s national recognition for success in promoting inclusiveness in graduate education.

In recent years, Vidoli has served on national committees to expand international programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Echeverria said Vidoli and her staff are credited as pioneers in the development of assessment programs for graduate programs.

Vidoli joined the biology faculty of Fresno State in 1970. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Southern Connecticut State College and master’s and doctoral degrees from Arizona State University.

Vidoli will wrap up her official duties shortly and finish out the academic year serving in a consultative role for the division. Associate dean Dr. Dianne Dickerson will serve as interim dean.