SMU Names Two New Senior Leaders

Two new leaders in academic affairs and advancement have been appointed to the Samuel Merritt University (SMU) executive team, President Dr. Ching-Hua Wang announced today.

On July 8, Fred Baldini, Ph.D., will become the University’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs and Al Frisone will become vice president for university advancement. 

Baldini has served as dean of the College of Health and Human Services at California State University,  Sacramento (CSUS) since 2010. He has been a faculty member of the CSUS Department of Kinesiology and Health Science for the past 31 years.

 “Fred brings a wealth of teaching and administrative experience in health sciences education to SMU,” said Wang. “I am confident that Fred will build upon our strong academic programs so we can more effectively meet the rising demand in the health care workforce."

During his tenure at CSUS, Baldini helped to establish new graduate programs in physical therapy and public health, among others. He also led efforts to develop and construct state-of-the-art teaching, research, and clinical facilities at Folsom Hall, home to the university’s nursing and physical therapy programs.

“I am honored to join Samuel Merritt University, an institution with an impressive history of providing outstanding education in the health sciences,” said Baldini. “I look forward to building on the quality of the University’s academic programs and to working with a community committed to educating highly skilled and compassionate health care professionals.”

Frisone is the former vice president of university advancement at CSUS, where he secured the three largest gifts in the university’s history as well as funding for three new endowed chair positions. From 2000 to 2017, he served in several key fundraising roles at Marquette University in Milwaukee. 

“Al has an impressive history of leading educational fundraising campaigns that will inform his efforts at SMU to enhance our alumni relations and major development programs,” Wang said.

During more than 25 years working as an educational fundraising professional, Frisone said he has a particular passion for transforming advancement organizations into high performing, productive, and motivated teams.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Samuel Merritt community at such an exciting time of growth for the University,” said Frisone.  “I have great respect for President Wang as a person and leader and I look forward to working with her to bring more resources to SMU in support of our students and the communities we serve.”