Following a nationwide search, Evelyn Bilias Lolis M'02, PhD, has been named dean of Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development (SEHD), effective January 1, 2025.
Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) offers nationally recognized graduate programs, and an undergraduate major in curriculum and instruction for aspiring educators and mental health professionals. SEHD programs emphasize hands-on learning through fieldwork in local schools, and partnerships with community mental health agencies. The Koslow Center for Marriage and Family Therapy, provides practical training while supporting community mental health. Additionally, the EdD in Educational Leadership offers specialized tracks in teacher leadership or higher education administration to prepare students for leadership roles.
Under the leadership of Dr. Bilias Lolis, SEHD continues to excel nationally, earning accolades such as a Top 10 ranking for EdD programs by Forbes, the No. 1 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program in Connecticut by College Factual, and recognition as one of the best Mental and Social Health Services schools in New England.
Dr. Bilias Lolis holds a PhD in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut, with a research emphasis on positive psychological interventions, resilience science, and connectedness. She was also educated in the Jesuit tradition, earning a master’s degree in school psychology from Fairfield University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University. She continues to maintain a professional licensure in school psychology and serves as a consultant to districts and corporations nationally and internationally, offering seminars on psychological well-being, organizational reform, and compassionate parenting.
Dr. Bilias Lolis joined the Department of Psychological & Educational Consultation at Fairfield University in 2010, earning tenure in 2018; she most recently served as SEHD's interim dean. Prior to her time at Fairfield, Dr. Bilias Lolis worked as a school psychologist in Stamford Public Schools, ultimately becoming district chair of school psychological services in 2008.
At Fairfield University, Dr. Bilias Lolis served as certification officer, assessment coordinator, chair of the SEHD faculty, and associate dean. In 2015, she was named the Alpha Sigma Nu Graduate Teacher of the Year. While serving as interim dean, she partnered with the SEHD faculty to articulate a forward-thinking mission statement, recruited and hired new talented faculty members, and developed a set of strategic initiatives to guide SEHD to a successful future. Some of those initiatives have already proven successful, with the school experiencing growth in enrollment, national program recognition, and the development of intentional partnerships that have secured the school’s position within the University and expanded SEHD’s reach in the community.
As part of SEHD’s innovative offerings, and with a focus on leading critical community conversations, during the fall 2024 semester, Dr. Bilias Lolis spearheaded SEHD’s Dean’s Dialogue Series, hosting a panel discussion on “Combating the Loneliness Epidemic: Science. Connection. Healing,” an event that brought together more than 200 participants — including administrators, community mental health workers, spiritual and wellness advisors, and students from across the region — to unpack the implications of loneliness and disconnection in the K-12 and higher education landscape.
“This series reflects SEHD’s unwavering commitment to serving our communities by building meaningful connections and creating spaces where critical societal issues can be examined through multiple perspectives and the pursuit of truth,” Dr. Lolis said. "Through dialogue, collaboration, and interdisciplinary expertise, we aim to foster understanding, compassion, and solutions that truly connect and uplift our shared humanity.”
Dr. Bilias Lolis looks forward to continuing to elevate Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development by showcasing the expertise of its distinguished faculty and the accomplishments of its talented alumni. With a vision to firmly establish SEHD's prominence in the higher education landscape, she places great value on the school’s commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, formative education, and human-centric focus for tackling complex issues of the modern world.
