Dr. Diane Mucci Named as Annandale Campus Provost

Dear NOVA Community,  Throughout the fall, NOVA conducted a national search for the Provost of our Annandale Campus. Today, I am excited to announce that Dr. Diane Mucci will serve as Annandale Provost beginning May 25.

Dr. Mucci holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and a BS in Biology from the College of Mount Saint Joseph (Ohio).

She is currently the interim provost for the Annandale Campus, having served in that role since January. Prior to this interim appointment, she had been dean for math, science, technology and business at NOVA’s Manassas Campus since 2015; served as program head for biotechnology (LO) and as a professor of biology (MA and LO). In addition to her service at NOVA, Dr. Mucci has been a faculty member at Frederick Community College (Md.); a Postdoctoral Fellow at the NIH Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; worked in private industry for Lockheed Martin; and served as a scientific writer for the NIH and other agencies. She has led impactful grant-funded projects at NOVA and other institutions.

Dr. Mucci has the strong track record of academic and community engagement that is essential to the role of provost. She has served on the advisory boards for George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus, George Washington University’s Health Sciences programs, and the Osbourn High School Governor’s STEM Academy of Innovations in Manassas. She is a graduate of Leadership Prince William and has led funded community enrichment events for our college, including the NOVA Aerospace Summer Academy, for which she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.

An award-winning faculty member, Dr. Mucci has dedicated herself to serving and developing as an academic leader focused on equity in student success and advocacy for her colleagues. She has twice served as Chair of NOVA’s College Senate, Chair of the Academic Deans’ Council and as a discipline coordinator for the Biological Sciences. She has completed training to assist ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) student populations and address student trauma; facilitated data equity summits related to STEM disciplines and participated in the NOVA Student Success Leadership Academy offered in partnership with Achieving the Dream. Dr. Mucci is also a graduate of the Chancellor’s Virginia Community College System Faculty and Administrator Leadership Academy.

She couples a commitment to inclusive excellence and student success with an impressive academic and administrative background, and against a strong pool of candidates, Dr. Mucci stood out for her vision for the Annandale Campus and her understanding of the foundational role faculty and staff play in student achievement. I look forward to welcoming her to this new role and know you join me in congratulating her!

As we conclude this important search, I thank the search committee and all who participated in the process by meeting with the candidates, attending their presentations and providing feedback. Your engagement truly strengthens our searches and our college, and your input is always taken into consideration in my decision making.

Sincerely, 

Anne