A part of its transition into the 2023-2024 academic year, Sinclair College will welcome a new
dean into the Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences (LCS) division. Dr. Martha Hurley will step into the role on June 1, 2023, succeeding Interim Dean Phyllis Adams. However, she has worked with Sinclair prior to her accepting the new position.
According to an article posted by the college, Dr. Hurley “was instrumental in the design and
implementation of a criminal justice four-year degree pathway for Sinclair Community College
students and the expansion of experiential learning partnerships.”
She comes to Sinclair from the University of Dayton Criminal Justice and Security Studies
Department, where she is both a chair and a professor. During her time there, she was able to
assist in the expansion of a program to a department. She was also a chair at Texas A&M
University-Commerce in their Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.
Dr. Hurley does significant work on social issues, informing others through her writing and
training. For example, research she completed can be found in the decision of the 2004
Supreme Court case Johnson v. California.
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She expresses a hopefulness that she can use her knowledge and experience to positively
impact Sinclair despite challenges that may arise.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I am deeply aware of the need to support growth and
equitable outcome for diverse student populations,” said Hurley. “I am committed to expanding
opportunities and developing institutional mechanisms that increase engagement, enrollment
and retention of students.”
Sinclair has a variety of programs and resources for first-generation students, including the
Young Scholars Program, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and Educational Talent
Search.
“For many in the local community Sinclair provides the most affordable and direct path for
achieving their dreams,” said Dr. Hurley.
When asked about her decision to transition from the university, she stated that she was
“impressed by the commitment of Sinclair faculty and staff to areas that [she felt] strongly
about” and “felt called to work to deepen pathways for success.”
Best wishes to Dr. Hurley in her new role!
Carly Webster
Staff writer