Mica McKnight began her career at Fordham Lincoln Center seven years ago and assumed the position of assistant dean for sophomores in 2017. She served in this position for nearly five years and is now stepping down to work at Hofstra University.

“During the past five academic years that I have served as the class dean for sophomores, I have been inspired daily by your interests in the world around you and your campus, your passion for social justice issues, and your intelligence that surpasses the classroom,” she wrote in an email to the sophomore class on Oct. 6.

In this email, McKnight told the sophomore class that her resignation would go into effect this fall and that Yasmin Hussein will serve as the interim dean for sophomores.

“I originally was not planning on leaving Fordham whatsoever, and a really great opportunity came across my email box.” Mica McKnight, assistant dean for sophomores

McKnight said she did not intend on leaving Fordham until the opportunity to be the assistant dean for the Hofstra Business School in Uniondale, New York, presented itself.

“I originally was not planning on leaving Fordham whatsoever, and a really great opportunity came across my email box,” she said. “I decided, ‘You know what, I should go for it and just see what happens.’”

At Hofstra, McKnight hopes to boost students’ ideas focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship as well as supporting women and minorities with their educational pursuits. 

“I was always pleased to see Black representation in administration, and I thank her for her contributions.” Jelaney Wright, FCLC ’24

She said it is important to her as a woman and person of color to be able to work at an institution where she can focus on supporting minority- and women-owned businesses in the local community.

“I was engaged in diversity issues at Fordham as well, serving on the Arts and Sciences Committee for Anti-Racism, but now I get to be involved in it in a different way that seems a little bit more concrete,” McKnight said. 

Jelaney Wright, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’24 and one of McKnight’s advisees, appreciated McKnight’s presence as a Black woman in Fordham’s administration. 

“I was always pleased to see Black representation in administration, and I thank her for her contributions,” she said.

“I would’ve loved to have connected with her because she seems really accomplished, but unfortunately, I was never able to meet her.” Ash Daniels, FCLC ’24

McKnight said her original interest in an administrative position at Fordham stemmed from her desire to simplify college life for students and ease the stressors that are associated with sophomore year. 

“Being there to help students navigate that process (accessing resources and managing course load) was something that I found really really interesting, and what I really loved the most about the job,” she said. 

Ash Daniels, FCLC ’24, noted a disconnect between students and the administration, stating, “we don’t really know about the resources we can seek help from — we just speak to those who we directly interact with from classes.”

Daniels underscored that he hopes for the best for McKnight in her future endeavors but wishes that he was introduced to her as a resource. 

“I would’ve loved to have connected with her because she seems really accomplished, but unfortunately, I was never able to meet her,” he said. 

Due to the inability to meet with students during the 2020-21 academic year, McKnight noted the personal responsibilities that she navigated, including giving birth to her son in February of 2020, while continuing to fulfill her professional obligations. 

“I met the most amazing people that are just so impactful on my life.” Mica McKnight

“It was a challenge, but I think that I’m the kind of person where I like to learn lessons through each and every challenge that’s presented to me,” McKnight explained. “There are so many different ways that we can connect with each other … if we lean into that, we can really, honestly and truly tap into something that’s more dynamic than what we’re used to.”

While reflecting on her time as the assistant dean, McKnight shared that she will miss the relationships she formed with both students and faculty. 

“I met the most amazing people that are just so impactful on my life,” McKnight said. 

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McKnight will continue to pursue her doctorate in educational leadership, administration and policy from Fordham and will serve as an adjunct professor until the end of the fall semester, teaching foundations of psychology. 

Until the search for the new dean is complete, McKnight advised Hussein to be tuned in to the needs of the sophomore class and identify concerns that are unique to them.

Despite her departure, McKnight emphasized that she will continue to keep in touch with her students and colleagues. 

“I just had so many great times at Fordham, be it from my wonderful colleagues that are now friends or my students that at some point will maybe be colleagues,” she said. “I’m still teaching this semester (at Fordham), and if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t be still teaching there.”