Michael J. Giampaoli is the new dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Bridgeport.

Giampaoli, who was the university's director of distance education, assumed the position on Oct. 15.

President Neil A. Salonen said Giampaoli is a talented dean who will expand the university's impact through its programs on campus and in its satellite campuses.

Giampaoli was chosen from a pool of more than 70 candidates for the position from across the country. "We picked him because he is a standout. Everything he has done here is first class," Salonen said.

"Giampaoli knows the business community and the work force," Salonen said. "He has the creativity and originality to build this program and meet the very real needs of the people in the state and the business community."

"We have a mission," Giampaoli said. "We want to respond to the work force development needs of Connecticut.

"People want skills that will keep them fresh in their jobs and give them the opportunity to advance or shift their careers," he said. "We serve these people and the businesses and industries that require employees with new or better skills if they are to stay competitive or seize a market."

Sharon Klebe, who served as dean since 1986 when she developed the predecessor to the school in Stamford, will become associate dean part time. Salonen said the university appreciates her many contributions in developing the school and its weekend programs, and welcomes her continued role in the school's growth.

The school includes graduate and undergraduate programs. It offers courses at UB and at satellite campuses in Stamford, Waterbury and North Haven. Its programs lead to undergraduate degrees, as well as a master's in business, computer science, education, counseling/human resources, and a 6th year certificate in education.

Giampaoli says he wants to expand the school's programs and tailor some of them to fit the unique needs of both the businesses in the region and the people who want the education for personal or career reasons. "Our students tend to be older - the average age is 32 - and their schedules need to be flexible," he said. "We have the IDEAL program for people completing their undergraduate degree. It features a flexible array of courses, offered on weekends, or nights, and for different durations - 5 weeks, 10 weeks.

"I think we can add online courses of study and degree completion we're developing that would expand the options for students in our school, and reach an even wider audience," he said.

The new dean, who has been with the university since 1996, developed the UB distance learning program. It offers courses and degree programs over the Internet. One launched by Giampaoli, the master of science degree program, Human Nutrition, has an enrollment of 125 students from around the world. Through UB's collaboration with the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium, the university also offers programs in computer technology, Web site creation and faculty development.

Giampaoli holds a bachelor's degree in business science from Pace University and a master's in business administration from UB. He has also studied at the University of California at Los Angeles and at San Diego State University. Prior to coming to UB, he was the publisher and chief executive officer of Paragon House, an academic trade and textbook publisher.