Review begins for education dean

A review is under way for School of Education Dean Julie Underwood.

Review committee members include Melvin Weinswig (review committee chair, dean emeritus, School of Pharmacy); Lisa Armstrong (Wisconsin Center for Education Research); Brad Brown (educational psychology); Elizabeth Graue (curriculum and instruction); Nicholas I. Hawkins (educational leadership and policy analysis graduate student/WISCAPE); Adam Nelson (educational policy studies); David Nelson (biochemistry/Institute for Biology Education); Allen Phelps (educational leadership and policy analysis/Wisconsin Center for Education Research); Stephen Quintana (counseling psychology); Paul Sacaridiz (art); and Barbara Smith (School of Education).

The review process will include interviews with faculty, staff and students, and with external stakeholders of the School of Education. The committee also invites written comments from the university community regarding the dean’s leadership and administration. Written comments regarding Underwood’s performance should be addressed to the committee chair or to other committee members. Comments or interview requests should be received by April 8.

The university adopted a standard five-year review procedure for deans several years ago. The purpose is to assess each dean’s academic and administrative leadership and performance. The chancellor and provost appoint the members of the review committee.

The review committee treats all communications as confidential, and the university will make every effort to protect such confidentiality within the framework of Wisconsin law.