Dean Hall in the fall

The Dean College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of three new Trustees, effective October 14, 2022: Eric Desmond Lee, J.D. ’08, Melissa Smith and Scott R. Williams.

Eric Desmond Lee, J.D. ’08 graduated from Dean in 2008 and was captain of the football team that earned the first outright NJCAA Northeast Conference championship. He went on to the University of Maine and then returned to Dean as assistant football coach. Lee earned his MBA from Centenary University and his law degree from Seton Hall University. He is currently an associate on the civil litigation team at Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor after serving as Assistant Prosecutor at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey.

Melissa Smith is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Floor & Decor, a Fortune 1000 retailer that specializes in hard surface flooring. Smith attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in sociology, earned an MBA from Johnson & Wales University and maintains a Senior HR Professional (SPHR) designation.

Scott R. Williams is a leading public affairs practitioner, entrepreneur and co-founder of ForeFront Strategies, a boutique strategic communications firm. Prior to co-founding ForeFront, Williams worked in a number of high-profile communications and litigation situations, including as press secretary to four members of U.S. Congress, segment producer for ABC News/Good Morning America and founding partner of Capitol City Brewing Company in Washington, D.C. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University.

Dean College is pleased to welcome all three Trustees to the Dean community. Learn more about leadership at Dean College.