John McCombe, a University of Dayton professor who has held academic leadership positions at UD for nearly two decades, was appointed College of Arts and Sciences associate dean for curriculum and student academic success.
McCombe, professor of English, has served as Department of English chair since 2023. He was director of the University Honors program from 2016-2023, as well as the program’s associate director from 2007-2012. He joined the UD faculty in August 2001. His two-year, renewable term as associate dean is effective Aug. 1.
He succeeds Michelle Pautz, who will transition back to full-time faculty after four years in the associate dean role.
Shannon Toll, associate professor of English, assistant Department of English chair, and film studies coordinator, will serve as interim English department chair.
McCombe’s commitment to student success stems from his own personal experience. A first-generation student whose parents saw college as career preparation, he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a licensure in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, with no plans to pursue a graduate degree.
He landed a job as a clinical chemist at that university’s medical center, which allowed him to take six course credits per semester, at no cost, in English, film studies and art history. “All disciplines I loved, but which were outside of my undergraduate curriculum,” he said.
During a six-year period, he moved from his full-time job to being a part-time chemist and part-time English graduate student. After receiving his master’s degree in English and a film studies certificate from the University of Pittsburgh, he received a fully funded teaching assistantship at the Ohio State University to pursue his doctoral studies in English.
“My student success story — as full of twists and turns as it was — is why I love mentoring students and working closely with others who do the same,” McCombe said. “Since I began my appointment as Honors director a decade ago, any team I have led has confirmed its commitment to student success.”
In his new role as part of the UD College of Arts and Science leadership team, McCombe will lead curriculum development and redevelopment within the College to advance academic innovation and excellence. He also will coordinate the work of the College’s student success team, including the assistant deans, the director of advising and first-year initiatives, and the curriculum coordinator. In addition, he will facilitate the full implementation of professional advising for the College.
“I'm excited to work with John as our associate dean for curriculum and student success,” said Danielle Poe, College dean. “He brings extensive University experience and relationships from his tenure as the Honors program director, as well as a wealth of curriculum and student success experience from his time as the chair of the Department of English. John's ability to provide creative and effective leadership will serve our faculty and students well.”
As English department chair, McCombe’s primary contributions were curricular in nature. The English major and minors were significantly revised, and the department’s entire general education footprint was reconfigured.
His position as Honors program director was grounded in student success.
“UD has a commitment to student success in every population on campus and the mission of the Honors program — delivered through its courses and experiential learning opportunities — is to promote success for a population of high-achieving students,” McCombe said.
McCombe and the Honors program partnered with the UD Office of Advancement to secure significant gifts to support student success, including a $200,000 grant from the Clair Boothe Luce Foundation to support undergraduate women pursuing research opportunities and future graduate degrees in STEM fields; a $5 million gift from the John Berry Jr. family to support scholarships for Honors students; and a $50,000 alumni gift to support the D.C. Flyers summer internship program.
McCombe is the author of more than two dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He recently published his first book, American Film in the Crisis of Confidence, Hollywood Malaise, 1976-83 (Lexington/Bloomsbury, 2025).
His service to the University includes two terms on the Academic Senate, three years on the College’s Academic Affairs Committee, and serving as a co-chair of UD President Eric Spina’s “Strategic Visioning Working Group on Educational Value.”