New LAS Dean Announced

Bradley University announces the appointment of Daniel Moon, Ph.D. as the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He will begin his role Jan. 3, 2022.

Moon currently serves as associate provost for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of North Florida, a role he has held since 2018. He joined UNF in 2004, working in various administrative capacities, including associate vice president for Academic Affairs, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, associate vice president and dean of Undergraduate Studies, chair of the Department of Biology, assistant chair of the Department of Biology, and founding interim director of the Coastal Biology Flagship Program.

“Dr. Moon has been successful in every role he has held in higher education,” said Bradley’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Walter Zakahi. “He has helped to grow enrollments, retain students, and develop and grow online programs. He also has valuable experience with fundraising and strategic planning.” Zakahi added the position was pivotal for the campus.

Moon has also held numerous academic positions, including professor, assistant professor, and associate professor of biology at UNF, and assistant professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. He was a visiting scientist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and a postdoctoral lecturer in biology at the University of South Florida.

Honor and excitement are the words Moon used to describe his feelings about joining the university as the new dean.

“Bradley University is a highly ranked and regarded institution with a rich history of academic excellence,” he said. “The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the heart of that tradition of excellence, with an outstanding faculty, dedicated staff, and talented students. I look forward to serving the college and the entire Bradley community as we aspire to and achieve even greater levels of success.”

A first-generation college student, Moon earned his doctorate in biology and a master’s in zoology from the University of South Florida. He earned his bachelor’s in biology from Binghamton University, where he graduated cum laude. An award-winning teacher and scholar, Moon is widely published in the fields of coastal ecology and environmental biology. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Smithsonian Institution Environmental Research Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Moon succeeds Kelly McConnaughay, who served as interim dean of the college for more than a year.

“I am grateful Dr. McConnaughay served as interim dean,” said Zakahi. “She has provided outstanding leadership to her college while Bradley has been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and this transition to a new dean. I know her colleagues are also thankful for her service.”