Marnin Young Appointed Yeshiva College Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Marnin Young, associate professor of art history at Stern College for Women, has been named Yeshiva College’s associate dean for academic affairs. He succeeds history Professor William Stenhouse, who held the position for the past three years. 

“I’m very honored to serve as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Yeshiva College,” Young told the Commentator, adding that he was “extremely grateful” to his predecessor for leaving behind a “professional and well-organized office.”

Young, who has taught at Stern College since 2008, said his foremost goal is to maintain and expand Yeshiva College’s commitment to providing “the highest possible level of education” while also responding to broader challenges facing higher education today. 

“This means ensuring that courses at YC not only meet the needs of students for their career advancement, but also … allow them to become intellectually engaged, culturally aware, global citizens,” he told The Commentator. “Currently, such goals face challenges from a variety of sources — economic, political, and technological. Working with the administration of Yeshiva University, I hope to address these challenges and to implement approaches to higher education that respond appropriately to the circumstances of our moment.”

As Associate Dean, Young will oversee scheduling, exams and the YC Core Curriculum, while also working with Dean Cypess and YC faculty to develop an “innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum.” He will also assist with faculty hiring, tenure and promotion, and faculty support for grants and publications. 

“More broadly, I will contribute to such strategic initiatives as Project Yamim, which seeks, among other things, to foster an academic culture of curiosity, exploration, and service,” Young added. Project Yamim is — through consultation with the student body and faculty — YU’s effort to implement systematic change in the university, Dean Sara Asher told students in an Aug. 25 email.

Reflecting on nearly two decades at Stern, where he chaired the Art History Department from 2014 to 2025, Young praised the “intense level of engagement” from students and said the dialogue helped shape his own thinking. 

“Having previously taught at U.C. Berkeley, the San Francisco Art Institute, and Texas Christian University, I had never encountered so many questions — good, serious questions — from students genuinely interested in interpretation, value, and history,” he said.

Cypess, in a July 24 message to faculty, said the Stern community would “no doubt miss his [Young’s] teaching and mentorship and his many contributions to our intellectual community,” but noted that closer collaboration between the two colleges would allow continued engagement.

Young’s Belfer Hall office will serve as the point of contact for YC students with “questions or concerns about courses, exams, or the Core [Curriculum],” Young told The Commentator, adding that he welcomes visits or appointments via email or phone. 

Professors Jacob Wisse, Aviva Novick and Daniella Berman will cover his courses at Stern, though he expects to continue teaching on a smaller scale in 2026.

“After so many years teaching at Stern, I am especially excited to be joining the administration uptown at YC,” Young said. “I think the distinctions between Beren and Wilf are important, but I do hope I can be part of an increasing harmonization within the Yeshiva University community.”

Photo Caption: Professor Marnin Young

Photo Credit: Yeshiva University