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Following a national search, Dr. Jason Vodicka ’03, ’09 has been appointed as the inaugural dean of the Westminster College of Media and Performing Arts.

“As a graduate of Westminster Choir College and С����Ƶ, I am especially honored to have the opportunity to serve my alma mater in this capacity,” says Vodicka. “It is the dedication and talent of Rider’s students, faculty, and staff that make this such a special place, and I look forward to working with our community to support and advance all of our programs in media and the arts.”
An accomplished scholar and conductor, Vodicka has demonstrated a commitment to academic administration, arts leadership and student success over his five years serving in leadership positions at С����Ƶ.

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jason over the past several years and have come to value his enthusiasm, creativity and loyalty to Westminster,” says Dr. Kelly Bidle, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “His combination of academic leadership, scholarship, service, artistic achievement and deep commitment to students makes him an outstanding addition to the College’s leadership team.”

Dr. Vodicka is a co-author of the Inside the Choral Rehearsal series published by GIA Publications and a contributor to The Oxford Handbook of Choral Pedagogy. His scholarship has appeared in The Choral Journal, Visions of Research in Music Education and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. Additionally, he currently serves as president-elect of the American Choral Directors Association of New Jersey.

As associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Vodicka helped bring Westminster Choir College to the Lawrenceville campus, developed summer adult programs, secured a Presser Foundation grant for music facility renovations and helped bring the Christmas at Westminster video project to more than one million households nationwide.

“It is an exciting time to assume this role, particularly at this important moment in our institution’s history,” says Vodicka. “Thanks to the vision and leadership of our University administration, Rider is well positioned for continued growth and innovation in the arts and media.”