Stockton Names New Deans for Health Sciences and Business
July 27, 2026
Shannon ‘Nikki’ Clifford, left, is Stockton’s new dean of the School of Health Sciences.
Dennis Yu is the university’s new dean of the School of Business. Both started in
their new roles on July 13
Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University has appointed two experienced academic leaders to guide its
schools of Health Sciences and Business as both enter periods of growth focused on
expanding academic opportunities, strengthening industry partnerships and preparing
students for high-demand careers
Shannon “Nikki” Clifford now leads the School of Health Sciences, and Dennis Yu is the new head of the School of Business. Both started on July 13
“We are delighted to welcome Shannon and Dennis to Stockton University. Their leadership,
vision and commitment to student success will strengthen our academic programs and
deepen our impact in the region,” said Michael Palladino, Stockton’s provost and vice
president for Academic Affairs. “Together, they will play a vital role in shaping
the future of Stockton and supporting our mission of excellence, access and opportunity
for all students.”
Clifford comes to Stockton from Monmouth University in West Long Branch where she
served as the acting dean for the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health
Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Scholarship and Strategic Initiatives
since 2022. She led school-wide initiatives focused on strategic planning, faculty
development, succession planning and student success. She also recently served as
a committee co-chair for Monmouth’s recent reaccreditation review by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education.
For Clifford, the appointment is also something of a homecoming. Born and raised in
Northfield, she is a graduate of Mainland Regional High School and once worked as
a lifeguard for the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, patrolling the very stretch of beach
that now sits in front of Stockton’s Atlantic City campus
Stockton’s strong commitment to student success, community engagement and innovative
health education aligns deeply with my own values.”
School of Health Sciences Dean Shannon ‘Nikki’ Clifford
“I’m a local kid. I grew up here, I learned to swim and work on these beaches, and
now, after 25 years building a career in higher education, I have the chance to come
back and invest that experience in the community that shaped me. That’s not something
I take lightly,” she said. “Stockton’s strong commitment to student success, community
engagement and innovative health education aligns deeply with my own values. I look
forward to working with faculty, staff and students to build on the school’s strengths,
expand opportunities for experiential learning, and prepare the next generation of
health professionals to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”
This includes advancing the vision for the new Stockton-AtlantiCare College of Community
Health in Atlantic City, announced in May
“I am excited to be part of such a pivotal moment at the university, as we expand
our impact through this new partnership,” she said. “Together with AtlantiCare, we
have an opportunity to create stronger connections between the classroom and clinical
practice and expand workforce opportunities for students. For me, this work is personal.
It’s a chance to help improve healthcare access in the region I call home.”
Before joining Stockton, Yu was the Director of Assessment and Accreditation and a
Professor of Operations and Information Systems in the Reh School of Business at Clarkson
University in Potsdam, New York. He previously served as the Associate Dean for Graduate
and Professional Programs and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research
Our vision is to ensure that every graduate leaves Stockton not only with a degree
but also with the knowledge, skills, experiences and professional network to build
a successful, meaningful career.”
School of Business Dean Dennis Yu
He has extensive experience in accreditation and assessment, including leading Association
to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB) reviews and contributing to Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering
and Technology (ABET) reaccreditation processes.
“As Dean, my priority is to elevate the School of Business into a premier destination
for business education and a recognized powerhouse in South Jersey, known for academic
excellence, career-ready graduates, innovative programs, impactful research, strong
industry partnerships and meaningful community engagement,” Yu said. “Our vision is
to ensure that every graduate leaves Stockton not only with a degree but also with
the knowledge, skills, experiences and professional network to build a successful,
meaningful career.”
The School of Health Sciences offers undergraduate programs in Exercise Science, Health
Science, Nursing and Public Health, master’s programs in Speech Language Pathology,
Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Public Health and doctoral programs in Nursing Practice
and Physical Therapy
The School of Business programs are AACSB-accredited and include undergraduate degrees
in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Computer Information Systems,
Entrepreneurship, Esports Management, Finance, Hemp and Cannabis Business Management
and Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management. It also offers graduate programs in
Accounting, Business Administration and Business Administration in Healthcare Administration
and Leadership.
— Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Abbigail Erbacher and Bernard DeLury
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