Search Underway for New Dean of the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Leader will set priorities for establishing the new school

The dean of the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences will play a key leadership role in establishing the newly realigned school, with a focus on high-quality educational experience, impactful scholarship, a commitment to collaboration on university goals for student success, research growth, advancement of diversity and inclusion and active community engagement.

SESWPS combines education, psychological sciences and social work programs into a newly reimagined academic unit that will create new education and research synergies for students and faculty.

“The dean will set the tone, pace and priorities for the new school’s success,” said Jenny Lungren, provost and executive vice chancellor. “In addition, ideal candidates will have high impact engagement with community partners — with regional and state leaders in K-12 education, with social service and health care partners and with donors and civic leaders, among others.”

The person selected for this position will work closely with the provost, other senior leaders, faculty, staff and students to chart a bold and successful future for the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences.

The full roster of the search committee is listed below. Others will have the opportunity to provide input during the campus interview portion of the search process. The committee aims to conclude the search in early spring 2023, for a summer 2023 start date.

Full search committee

Michele D. Smith, vice provost for student affairs, dean of students and associate professor

Jennifer Waddell, Sprint Foundation Endowed Professor in Urban Education, associate professor, Division Co-Chair and Director

Louis Odom, professor, Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies

Tiffani Riggers Piehl, assistant professor, Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations

Donna Davis, professor, Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations

Ile Haggins, director of field education, advisor, field and practicum advisor, Social Work

Steven Onken, associate professor, chair of Social Work

Jake Marszalek, professor, Psychology; interim associate dean, SESWPS

Erin Hambrick, associate professor, Psychology

Shewit Abai, student

Michael Pragman, director, Kansas City Regional Professional Development Center

Irene Caudillo, president and CEO, El Centro

Brandon Martin, vice chancellor and athletics director, executive in residence in SESWPS


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