Gratz College has selected Leslie Ginsparg Klein as its next dean and chief academic officer. In this role, she will oversee the college’s growing roster of graduate-level degree programs, expanding educational opportunities for current and future Gratz College students.
She will also serve as associate professor of Jewish history and education.
“Gratz faculty, students and our community are fortunate to gain Dr. Klein’s leadership,” says Zev Eleff, president of Gratz. “Her devotion to high-level and accessible scholarship and expertise in higher education will advance Gratz’s impact.”
Klein served as the academic dean of the Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary and College (WITS). Under her 11-year leadership, WITS grew its enrollment, degree programs, and successfully applied and received regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Prior to this, Klein was the founding director of the Honors Program at Touro College’s Lander College for Women.
She has already played an important role in Gratz’s forward-thinking, serving as senior advisor on academic affairs since September 2024. In this role, Klein brokered partnerships for Gratz’s new Special Education Licensure program and led the academic taskforce for the college’s ongoing strategic planning process.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as dean and chief academic officer of Gratz College,” said Klein. “I am deeply excited to work with a talented and passionate community of students, faculty and staff. Together, we will build on our college’s remarkable legacy and embrace the innovations that will propel Gratz forward.”
Her relationship with Gratz dates to 2013, when she served as an instructor in its Ed.D. program. The experience led to a 10-year partnership between Gratz and WITS that has contributed to the growth and prestige of both institutions. The schools are proud to continue their relationship through joint bachelorette-graduate programs.
Under the stewardship of the college’s current dean, Dr. Honour Moore, Gratz fortified its online learning capacities and designed a forward-looking strategic plan.
“Gratz is grateful to dean Moore for her thoughtful and administrative work to place our college on very solid footing,” said Eleff. “Her devotion, in particular, to revamping the doctorate in education program has made it a jewel in our degree offerings.”
Continued Eleff: “Gratz’s degree programs have been very blessed with strong leadership and will continue this way for many years to come.”
