Outcome of the School of Education Dean Search
From Dr. Jean Morrison, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer
As you know, last fall we commenced a national-level search for a new Dean of the Boston University School of Education (SED). After a rigorous and competitive search process, we pursued an exceptional candidate to succeed Dean Hardin Coleman in leading SED. I am sorry to report that following promising and extensive negotiations, the candidate unexpectedly withdrew from consideration at a late stage in the process. President Brown and I share your disappointment with this outcome.
Given the timing of the outcome, President Brown and I have determined that the appropriate course of action is to appoint a Dean ad interim for one year and to immediately begin a new search for a permanent Dean of SED. We have every confidence that we will be successful and appreciate your continued support and engagement during this period of transition.
After serving as an outstanding Chair of the Dean Search Advisory Committee and a respected leader in SED for many years, I am pleased to report that Professor Catherine O’Connor has agreed to serve as Dean ad interim for the 2017-2018 academic year, effective July 1, 2017. Cathy is enthusiastically committed to the School’s continued trajectory of excellence and, having previously served as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, is a knowledgeable and faithful steward for SED. I hope that you will join me in thanking Cathy for her service.
We will now begin convening a new search advisory committee with an election of three members from the SED faculty, per the process outlined in the BU Faculty Handbook. As Chair of the SED Faculty Assembly, Professor Steve Ellenwood will lead the election process for SED and I look forward to receiving the results by Friday, July 14. The Faculty Council will also hold elections for two faculty representatives from outside of SED within this same time frame. Following the elections, I will appoint and announce the remaining members of the search advisory committee so that work can begin as soon as possible.
While I recognize that this is not the result for which we hoped, I am grateful to the members of the SED Dean Search Committee for their considerable efforts during this year. Please join me in thanking them for their contributions, as their work establishes an important foundation on which to build, as we begin the search anew.