Committee names finalists for education dean

The School of Education dean search and screen committee has named two finalists, presenting its recommendations to Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf and Chancellor Rebecca Blank last Friday.

The 17-member committee selected the two after a four-month process. The finalists are:

Dorothy Farrar Edwards, professor and chair in the Department of Kinesiology at UW Madison.

Diana Hess, senior vice president, Spencer Foundation, Chicago. Hess is also a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at UW–Madison.

The new dean will replace Julie Underwood, who will return to the faculty August 15, after a decade of serving as dean.

The School of Education was listed as the number one public school of education in the most recent U.S. News and World Report rankings, and fifth overall. Eight of the school’s graduate programs were ranked in the top three.

“The committee worked diligently to identify candidates who demonstrate the right experience and expertise to lead our school, which is unique in its broad, interdisciplinary focus,” says David Kaplan, chair and professor of educational psychology. “We are excited by the vision and dedication to UW–Madison that both of these candidates bring.”

The candidates’ CVs and a schedule of public presentations are available on the search website.

Employees may attend the talks in pay status, with supervisor permission, if the presentations fall during normal work hours. During these presentations, the finalists have been invited to lay out their vision for the role.