Dean College Announces Two New Executive Hires

Dean College has formally welcomed two new accomplished professionals to its leadership team. Basil A. Stewart joins the College as Vice President for Financial Services and Treasurer; and Marly A. Norris joins as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Both Stewart and Norris will report directly to Dean’s interim president, Mark D. Boyce.

Stewart most recently served as Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer for Western New England (WNE) University, where he led the campus master planning effort that resulted in the creation and development of a 10- to 15-year capital. While at WNE, he also modernized the finance, facilities, and public safety teams by emphasizing cross-training and career progression; streamlined the audit deliverable timetable; enhanced the legal review process of agreements and contracts; and supported many technological advancements ranging from long-term financial planning to data visualization and reporting.

Prior to WNE Stewart was the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Lasell University and Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Lasell Village. He has also held senior-level finance positions at Merrimack College, MIT, and Northeastern University.

Stewart earned his MBA and BBA in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and holds designations as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Inc. and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. 

“We are excited to welcome Basil Stewart to our Dean leadership team, as he brings a wealth of knowledge that will be invaluable as we advance the College’s financial priorities and continue to support our mission,” said interim President Boyce. “With Basil’s extensive experience, including his commitment to modernizing financial practices and enhancing institutional efficiency, the Dean community will greatly benefit from his leadership.”

Norris has a long history of success in fundraising for higher education and cultural institutions. She has played a key role in three comprehensive campaigns, including two with $1B+ goals. 

Norris most recently served as the Vice President of Advancement for the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Empire State University and Executive Director of the Empire State University Foundation. She was instrumental in ensuring a smooth transitional period for the organization, which included a new president; a change from college to university; and a marketing rollout as the only public online university in the state. Norris was tasked with building the advancement infrastructure and professionalizing operations to support the university as it experienced extraordinary enrollment growth. 

Prior to the SUNY system, Norris served as Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs at Dominican University of California where she led the university’s fundraising and alumni relations functions. Norris has also held leadership roles at the University of San Francisco, the Smithsonian Institution, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Norris earned dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA at Saint Mary’s College of California. She also completed the Leadership Development Program at the University of California, Berkeley. 

“We are delighted to welcome Marly Norris to Dean College as our new Vice President for Institutional Advancement,” said interim President Boyce. “Marly’s proven track record in advancement and her strategic leadership in fundraising and alumni relations will be invaluable to our community. Her experience with transformational campaigns and her commitment to building meaningful relationships with alumni, families, and supporters will play a pivotal role as we continue to strengthen and expand Dean’s impact.”