In Loving Memory – Dr. Edith Neumann
Dr. Edith Neumann
(April 1, 1947 – February 17, 2018)
Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Touro University Worldwide
Dr. Edith Neumann led Touro University Worldwide (TUW) as Provost and Professor of Health Sciences. Dr. Neumann received her Ph.D. in Medical Sociology from Boston University, majoring in health care organizations and specializing in program evaluation and needs assessment. She earned a M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management and a B.A in Behavioral Sciences-Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology. In addition, she held a Nursing Degree.
Dr. Neumann was a senior research associate at the Center for Applied Social Sciences at Boston University, Professor of Research at Boston University, and Director of Program Evaluation and Development at the University Affiliated Programs at the Kennedy-Shriver Center (Waltham, MA). She served as a Dean for the School of Health that included the Statewide Nursing program at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), where she was a Professor of Health Sciences and Director of the Center for Policy Research and Evaluation.
Dr. Neumann was one of the founders of Touro University International (TUI), and part of the team that established TUI, the first regionally accredited fully online university that offered undergraduate, graduate and PhD programs fully online. Dr. Neumann was the founder of the Colleges of Health and Education, where she served as the founding Dean for 9 years, and Vice President for Academic Affairs of TUI until February 2010. Dr. Neumann planned and conducted numerous program evaluations, and need assessments funded by local, state, federal and international agencies. She was involved in numerous programs, such as Healthy Communities for the LA Hispanic Community, and entrepreneurship development for underserved populations.
Dr. Neumann published many papers and book chapters in program evaluation, policy assessment, motivation, stress-burnout in organizations. Many of her publications focused on higher education administration, and high quality learning models that lead to student success. Dr. Neumann was on the editorial board of the Journal of Emergency and Disaster Management, and has received numerous awards, including the Lyle Gibson Excellence in Teaching Award from California State.
In 2012, Dr. Neumann, and the original team of TUI, rejoined Touro and developed Touro University Worldwide (TUW). Dr. Neumann assumed the Academic Affairs role as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Her contributions in TUW since 2012 influenced student growth by 440%, the financial status of the university became strong, and 14 regionally accredited (WSCUC) programs that include Associate, Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate.
Dr. Edith Neumann will be sorely missed by her family, friends and all who were blessed to share in her sphere of influence.