Michael Nester Named Dean of Liberal Arts at Middlesex College

Dr. Michael Nester, whose career in higher education spans over two decades, has been named dean of liberal arts at Middlesex College.

Nester’s appointment is a homecoming of sorts. He made a lasting impact at Middlesex College as chair of the College’s English department from 2012 to 2018. Among his many responsibilities in that position, he supervised nearly 30 full-time faculty members and approximately 80 adjuncts, oversaw program and course assessments activities within the English Department, and provided oversight of the English Department’s curriculum development and new course initiatives, including Accelerated Learning Program courses, Summer Bridge courses, and grant-funded programs such as College Readiness Now.

“I look forward to working with the entire Middlesex community to champion the liberal arts and to promote innovative approaches for learning,” Nester said.

Nester left the College in 2018 to join Camden County College, where he served as dean of arts, humanities, and social sciences, and then as dean of liberal and professional studies. In that latter position, Nester oversaw all aspects of the liberal arts and professional studies of that school, including the curricular process, course and program assessments and scheduling, as well as the eLearning division.

He began his education career teaching English, first as an instructor of English at Wytheville Community College in Virginia, and later as an assistant professor of English at the College of the Mainland in Texas and assistant professor of English literature at Leeward Community College in Hawaii.

Nester is well-versed in technology, especially with how it is used in educational settings. He managed the Lynchburg, Virginia site of Old Dominion University’s TELETECHNET program, a synchronously-delivered satellite distance education program. As site director, he advised students in all aspects of their college experience, including admissions, financial aid, graduation requirements and transfer assessments.

“Dr. Nester has a deep appreciation for Middlesex College’s learning mission. His strong background and extensive experience make him ideally suited to lead the Liberal Arts Division,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Linda Scherr.

“Dr. Nester is a thoughtful and engaged leader who I know will work extremely well with our faculty and students. I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Middlesex College.”

Nester holds a bachelor of arts in English Literature and Writing from Lynchburg College, a master’s in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, and a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University.