New department chairs named at Monmouth U.

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, has announced the promotion of two faculty members and one staff member.

Dr. Priscilla Gac-Artigas has been named as the new chair of the department of romance languages and literatures. The Fair Haven resident has taught at Monmouth for six years as both an assistant and an associate professor. A specialist in Latin American literature, she has written three reference books and was featured in The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education. She holds a doctor of philosophy degree from the L’University de Franche Comté, France.

Dr. David Strohmetz was promoted to associate professor and named chair of Monmouth’s department of psychology. A resident of Forked River, Strohmetz will oversee Monmouth’s 17-member psychology department. Prior to joining the university, he served as assistant professor for four years at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va. His work on the social psychology of tipping in restaurants has been widely published. Strohmetz received his Ph.D. in social psychology at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.

Named new director of special events and programs was Jan Connolly. Connolly, from Neptune City, will be responsible for raising funds and cultivating friends for the school through the planning and implementation of special events and recognition dinners. Prior to joining Monmouth, Connolly served as marketing director at United Teletech Federal Credit Union, Tinton Falls. She earned a bachelor of science degree in public relations and broadcast management at the University of Evansville, Indiana.