HAMBURG, N.Y. – After a national search, Maureen F. Finney, Ed.D., PA-C has been named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hilbert College, President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D. announced.  Finney’s appointment is effective January 1, 2021.

“I am confident that Dr. Finney has the experience, vision, and leadership skills to work collaboratively with constituents across our campus to advance our academic initiatives,” Brophy said.  “I am thrilled to have a leader with Maureen’s knowledge and talents in this vital role.”

Finney comes to Hilbert after 20 years at D’Youville College.  She has served as dean and professor for the School of Health Professions since 2015.  As chief academic officer for the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, Finney was responsible for the strategic direction and long range planning for the School of Health Professions. As dean, Finney oversaw eight departments including Chiropractic, Dietetics, Exercise and Sports Studies, Health Administration and Public Health, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Physical Therapy with an accompanying enrollment of nearly 1,000 students, 60 full time faculty, and 50 adjunct faculty.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to help advance the academic priorities for the entire campus community,” Finney said. “I look forward to the collaboration with the talented faculty, students, and staff at Hilbert to build on the College’s solid foundation and support Hilbert’s academic excellence.”

Finney was project leader for D’Youville’s new Health Professions Hub and she secured $5 million from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York Higher Education Capital Assistance Program (HECap) for the project.  She developed and implemented a strategic planning process to include creation of a school-wide mission and vision. 

In collaboration with department chairs, Finney led successful re-accreditation processes for all specialized accreditors within the School of Health Professions. She served as Self Study Co-Chair for 2015 MSCHE Decennial Review which led to a successful college wide re-accreditation.

In addition to dean and professor, Finney also served as interim executive director of the chiropractic department and chairperson of the physician assistant department. Finney has also served as a clinical physician assistant for the Department of Family Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine.

Finney has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Niagara University and a master’s degree in natural sciences from the University at Buffalo.  She received her Ed.D. in health policy and education and a bachelor’s in physician assistant from D’Youville.

Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With over 800 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs in criminal justice administration and public administration, including a track in health administration.