Dr. John Noakes will assume the role of Interim Director of the School of Education, effective June 1. Currently chair of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Dr. Noakes joined the Arcadia community in 2005 and has served with distinction in a wide variety of roles. He has held several administrative positions at Arcadia, including co-chair of the Middle States Executive Committee (2016-2018), Associate Provost (2011-2015), and Interim Dean of Graduate Studies (2011-2012). Over the years, John also has contributed to the assessment of global programs for the College of Global Studies.

An internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Noakes’ work focuses on the relationship between the state and political dissent and policing of political protests. He has published on the origins of the FBI and FBI surveillance of Hollywood in the 1940s, and he hosted a TEDx Talk discussing the importance of why both an active and effective police force and active and effective oversight of the police are necessary for a liberal democracy to thrive. 

He earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Sociology from Bard College.

Dr. Noakes will succeed Dr. Kim Dean, who has served as chair of the School of Education since 2018.