Marvin Lutnesky

Marv Lutnesky is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biology at Norwich University. He is an accomplished academic leader with over 20 years of experience in academic leadership.

Lutnesky has been a professor of biology at both Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) and Texas A&M University–San Antonio. Before coming to Norwich, his leadership roles have spanned directing a museum, chairing three academic departments, and serving as associate dean for a college. He has spearheaded significant improvements in faculty development and evaluation, curriculum cycles, and degree program development. He has experience in propelling program expansion (several BAAS, BA, BS, and MS degrees), facilitating university growth. He thinks of a university as a holistic community resource; for example, at ENMU, thousands of schoolchildren would visit the museum exhibit annually to see live alligators, snakes, and the fish of New Mexico.

A dedicated educator, Lutnesky has a robust teaching portfolio spanning undergraduate and graduate levels, employing a hands-on, research-oriented approach to teaching and mentoring students on both theoretical and empirical topics. At ENMU, students recognized him with an Outstanding Advisor of the Year award. He is a recognized scholar in behavioral ecology, specializing in animal sampling, territorial movements, and sexual plasticity in animals. His doctorate from the University of Hawaii and numerous publications attest to his research expertise, which has garnered accolades, including ENMU’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Research. He is also passionate about broadening access to research experiences and has secured more than $1 million in federal funding to support these experiences.

Beyond research and teaching, Lutnesky is an active university citizen. Before coming to Norwich, he had served on (often chairing) key university committees, including those focused on accreditation, administrative appointments, AI integration, and the Counting Year Task Force (crucial for funding). His service also includes budget planning, national (CCAS) development workshops for department chairs, and peer review and steering committee work for prestigious organizations such as NSF and NIH. Lutnesky is a proponent of a holistic academic life, in which all faculty, staff, and students are valued.

Ph.D. Zoology, University of Hawaii
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University
B.S. Zoology, San Diego State University

Michael*, S.C.J., Patman, J., and Lutnesky, M.M.F. 2021. Water clarity affects collective behavior in two cyprinid fishes. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 75, 120:1-13.

Lutnesky*, M.M.F., Cradock, K.R., and Reynolds, J.B. 2019. Immobilization threshold and fish conductivity of two small fishes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39:788-792. ISSN: 0275-5947 print / 1548-8675 online, DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10319.

Lutnesky*, M.M.F., and Brown, T.R. 2015. Simulation of movement that potentially maximizes assessment, presence, and defense in territorial animals with varying movement strategies. Ecological Modelling 313:50-58.