MEDIA RELEASE__Dr. Mary Robinson has been named vice president and dean of academic affairs at Bluffton University, effective July 1, 2026.

Robinson holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in history from Florida State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from University of Nebraska at Omaha. She brings more than 20 years of higher education experience in the small, liberal arts landscape. 

“Dr. Robinson’s academic strategic vision coupled with her experience in the small, liberal arts landscape demonstrates her strong positioning for the role of vice president and dean,” said Dr. J. Alexander Sider, president of Bluffton University. “In a time of historic change in higher education, Bluffton is fortunate to find an academic leader with the skills and innovative foresight to elevate our academic reputation and align our academic portfolio with our mission to prepare students of all backgrounds for life and vocation.”

Robinson previously served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Lourdes University, where she led 10 departments. In this role, she shaped institutional academic priorities through curriculum innovation, strategic planning, accreditation alignment and assessment leadership.

“I am honored and excited to join the Bluffton community at such an important moment in its history,” said Dr. Robinson. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the administration, faculty, staff, and students to build on the university’s strong foundation and advance its mission.”

Before her time as Dean, Robinson was the director of the Honors Program and served multiple terms as History, Geography, and Political Science department chair at Lourdes University. She has served on multiple committees at Lourdes, including Strategic Planning Committee, President’s Extended Cabinet, Program Review Committee, Graduate Executive Committee, IT Steering Committee, chaired the Curriculum and Policy Review Committee, the Faculty Life and Professional Development Committee, and Workload and Compensation Committee.