News

David J. Chard Appointed Dean of BU Wheelock

Boston University announced the appointment of David J. Chard as dean of BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Chard, a professor of special education, has served as dean ad interim of BU Wheelock since the BU School of Education merged with Wheelock College in June 2018.

Chard “provided exemplary leadership during [BU Wheelock’s] period of transition,” wrote Jean Morrison, University provost and chief academic officer in a memo to the BU Wheelock community. “After a national search process that considered several strong candidates for the role, President Brown and I are delighted to announce Professor Chard’s permanent appointment.”

As dean ad interim, Chard led the BU Wheelock community through the merger transition and in addressing the challenges of the past year, including the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, he has led several key strategic initiatives, including a strategic planning process that charts a bold course for BU Wheelock’s future focused on education equity and social justice.

“Over the past three years, we have strengthened BU Wheelock as a college of education and human development that can have a powerful impact by transforming systems that often don’t work in the best interest of those children and youth they are supposed to educate and support,” says Chard. “This focus is attracting attention as well as new faculty, staff, and strategic partners who believe in our work. I am very excited to continue to lead BU Wheelock toward our aspirations.”

Chard previously served as president of Wheelock College until the 2018 merger. Prior to that, he was dean of Southern Methodist University’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development for nine years. He holds a PhD in special education from the University of Oregon and a BS in mathematics and chemistry education from Central Michigan University.