 He moved to Fairfield University in 1997, starting the journalism program in the English Department, and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2001.He was promoted to full professor in spring 2006 and was later elected to serve as chair of the university's largest department for five years.Simon was named associate dean of the Fairfield College of Arts and Sciences in July 1, 2012 and became Dean for a one-year term ending July 2015.