CGCS marks historic milestone with academic director faculty promotions

Four academic directors within Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies are being recognized for faculty promotions, marking an important milestone in the continued growth of academics within the College.

Professor Toni Raftery and Professor Fianna Verret were promoted to professor of practice, Professor Linda Ratsep was promoted to assistant professor, and Dr. Diane Zorri was promoted to associate professor. Dr. Page Spiess, associate vice president for academics at CGCS, was also promoted to associate professor.

This year’s promotions carry particular significance for CGCS. For the first time in the College’s history, all of its academic directors hold academic rank, formally recognizing the expertise, scholarship, and academic leadership they bring to Norwich and its students.

“Having all of our academic directors recognized with academic rank for the first time in the College’s history is especially meaningful,” Spiess said. “It strengthens our alignment with Norwich’s other academic colleges while formally recognizing our academic directors as full academic colleagues alongside their residential-campus counterparts.”

For the academic directors, the recognition reflects careers that combine professional experience, academic scholarship, program leadership, and a commitment to student success.

For Raftery, promotion to professor of practice recognizes a Norwich career that has progressed from instructional developer to project manager, associate program director, and, today, academic director for leadership, business, and management.

“This promotion is meaningful because it recognizes the combination of professional experience, academic preparation, and leadership opportunities that have shaped my career,” Raftery said.

Raftery is looking to build upon that experience by expanding experiential learning opportunities available to Norwich’s online students, including CGCS Immersive Experiences.

“My goal is to continue creating innovative opportunities that help students connect their learning to real-world challenges and meaningful professional growth,” she said.

Verret’s promotion to professor of practice comes after 22 years working across Norwich’s administrative and instructional operations as she completes her doctorate in defense and strategic studies. Her academic research on the Caspian Sea, Russian power dynamics, and human security complements her work as academic director for international affairs.

“Stepping into the role of professor of practice honors a 22-year journey across Norwich’s administrative and instructional operations, embodying our institutional ethos of service leadership through steady, long-term dedication to our students and programs,” Verret said.

That experience has included supporting Norwich students both on campus and online. Looking forward, Verret hopes to continue expanding teaching innovation, refining interactive online pedagogies, and collaborating across the University.

“This promotion and the academic title that it carries also enables me to widen my scholarship into broader arenas to help bring Norwich to the world,” she said.

For Ratsep, who oversees the MBA and interdisciplinary studies programs, promotion to assistant professor recognizes work focused on strengthening academic programs and connecting students’ education with their professional lives.

“What I am most proud of throughout my career is the opportunity to help develop and strengthen academic programs that make a meaningful difference in students’ lives and careers,” Ratsep said. “Seeing our graduates apply what they have learned to advance in their professions, lead within their organizations, and serve their communities is incredibly rewarding.”

Ratsep said she plans to continue supporting academic excellence, innovation and opportunities for student success while helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their goals.

Zorri’s promotion to associate professor similarly reflects the combination of academic leadership and scholarship represented across CGCS.

“I am happy to be a part of the Norwich team and truly humbled by the recognition,” Zorri said.

As academic director for strategic studies and defense policy, Zorri works in disciplines being reshaped by technological developments and changes in the geopolitical environment. She sees those changes as an opportunity to create learning experiences that bring students closer to the challenges they may encounter professionally.

“Over the next few years, I hope to see the creation of more collaborative and experiential learning opportunities, like what we are doing in Berlin, so that our students can engage with some of the real-world challenges they are likely to see in their careers,” Zorri said.

Behind the individual promotions is a broader commitment to recognizing CGCS academic directors not only for their leadership of academic programs, but also for their continued contributions as scholars within their respective fields.

Spiess, whose own interdisciplinary career encompasses education, teaching, research, and academic leadership, said providing faculty with opportunities to remain active scholars ultimately strengthens the education Norwich provides its students.

“I am especially proud that Norwich University supports our CGCS faculty not only as educators, but as scholars and leaders within their disciplines,” Spiess said. “Giving our Academic Directors the opportunity to pursue research, present at conferences, publish scholarly work, and continue developing professionally ensures that our students learn from faculty who are actively engaged in advancing their fields, not simply teaching what is already known.”

For CGCS, this year’s promotions recognize individual accomplishments while establishing a foundation for continued faculty scholarship, professional development and academic leadership across the College.