New dean appointed for Saint Joseph’s College
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College has a new vice president and dean. The university announced Thursday that Bessie Rigakos assumed the role this week after previously serving as dean of academics at the two-year college on Marian’s Indianapolis campus.
Rigakos originally came to Marian in 2010 as a faculty member and was named chair of the History and Social Science Department in 2016. She was appointed academic dean at Saint Joseph’s College in 2021.
In her new role, Rigakos will oversee the college’s strategic direction, including academic programs, the Earn and Learn workforce development program, and student services.
“Dr. Rigakos has demonstrated remarkable success in every position she has held at Marian over the last decade. I have no doubt that in leading Saint Joseph’s College, Dr. Rigakos will continue to push enrollment growth, quality programs, and build awareness in our community,” Saint Joseph’s College Chancellor Kenith Britt said in a news release. “Dr. Rigakos is a proven leader with demonstrated results, and I’m excited to see how far she and her exceptional team will take Saint Joseph’s College.”
The university said Rigakos will also work with Marian leadership to develop and implement new degree programs and coursework.
Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College is a two-year associate degree college that offers degrees in business, liberal arts, information technology and early childhood development.
Marian opened the college in Indianapolis in 2019 after the original Saint Joseph’s College suspended operations at its Rensselaer campus two years prior due to financial struggles. The college had been in operation on on the Jasper County campus since 1891.