9:47 a.m., Dec. 23, 2010----University of Delaware Provost Tom Apple has announced two interim changes in the administration. Nancy Brickhouse has been named interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development, and Margaret Andersen has been named interim deputy provost. Both appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2011.

THIS STORY

E-mail

Print

Twitter

Brickhouse will succeed interim dean Suzanne Austin, who has accepted a position as vice provost for student and faculty success at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Andersen will replace Havidán Rodríguez, who becomes provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of Texas-Pan American on Jan. 1.

Apple noted that as interim dean, Brickhouse, the current deputy dean of the college, will bring her “experience and expertise of combining teaching with administrative responsibilities to ensure continued strong leadership for the college during this exciting period of development,” and called Andersen, who will concurrently maintain the responsibilities of her position as acting associate provost for academic affairs, “an eminent scholar, seasoned administrator and effective leader who can provide stable and capable leadership during this transition period.”

Interim CEHD dean

The College of Education and Human Development is “in great hands with Dr. Brickhouse,” said Apple, adding that CEHD has a “promising future as it continues to build on its considerable strengths as a national leader in education, research, practice and policy.”

The newly formed CEHD is widely recognized for its academic programs and scholarly capacity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, disabilities studies and early childhood education. As deputy dean, Brickhouse has worked with the Delaware Department of Education on initiatives related to the successful Race-to-the-Top application, including a STEM residency program and a leadership development program.

“We are an engaged college, working effectively in schools and communities in ways that have made us an invaluable resource to them,” said Brickhouse.

As interim dean, she will lead the college in continuing to develop such areas of strength, while building an infrastructure that will facilitate a smooth transition to new leadership by a permanent dean.

The search committee for a new CEHD dean, chaired by Nancy Targett, dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, has begun and Apple expects to identify a new dean in summer 2011.

Brickhouse joined the UD faculty in 1988 as an assistant professor of science education and was appointed associate professor in 1994 until her promotion to associate director in 2002. She was named director of the School of Education in 2007.

A leader of long-standing within the college, Brickhouse is known for her experience and research in science education and gender issues in science education.

Brickhouse received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Baylor University in 1982. She earned her master's degree in chemistry and doctorate in science education from Purdue University in 1986 and 1988, respectively.

Interim deputy provost

As interim deputy provost, Andersen is the provost's chief adviser working to assure a high quality of academic programs and educational opportunities at the University. As the principal academic planning officer, she has primary responsibility for academic program planning and review, and capital planning as it relates to academic programs and enrollment planning. In addition, Andersen works closely with the provost to establish global collaborations and partnerships to extend the global role, leadership, geographic presence and visibility of UD.

“I look forward to working with the leadership of the University to further develop excellence in our academic programs and to support faculty, staff and students toward these goals,” said Andersen, who has served as acting associate provost for academic affairs since July 2009. “I have already had the opportunity to work with several outstanding units that support undergraduate education and look forward to expanding that work.”

Andersen is the Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Sociology. Her scholarship examines race and ethnic relations, sociology of sex and gender studies, and sociological theory.

A member of the University faculty since 1974, she previously served as vice provost for academic affairs from 1990-1997 and as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1997-1999. Andersen is a graduate of Georgia State University and received her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Article by Artika Rangan