New Dean Appointments for a Dozen Women in Academia

Maria del Guadalupe Davidson has been appointed dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has been with West Virginia University for the past five years, serving most recently as associate dean for faculty, interim director for the public administration program, and the Woodburn Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies.

Dr. Davidson is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University in New York, where she double-majored in English and political science. She received master’s degrees in English and communication studies and a doctorate in rhetoric from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Seybert has been named dean of the College of Education at the University of Texas at Permian Basin. She has over two decades of experience in both public schools and postsecondary education, most recently serving as principal of Midland High School in Texas.

Dr. Seybert received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Texas at Permian Basin. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Eboni Zamani-Gallaher has been named the Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. She has served as the school’s interim dean for the past year. Prior to her interim appointment, she served as associate dean for equity, justice, and strategic partnerships for the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh.

Professor Zamani-Gallaher holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Western Illinois University. She earned a Ph.D. in educational organization and leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Yen-Hwei Lin has been selected to serve as interim dean of the College of Arts and Letters at Michigan State University. She has been with the university for over three decades, currently serving as a full professor of linguistics and chair of the department of linguistics, languages, and cultures.

Dr. Lin holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Texas.

Maneka Deanna Brooks has been named dean of the College of Education at Portland State University in Oregon. She comes to her new position from Texas State University, where she has been serving as associate dean for academic affairs and educator preparation.

Dr. Brooks received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in bilingual secondary education from Loyola Marymount University in California. She holds a Ph.D. in educational linguistics from Stanford University in California.

Lisa May Norton has been appointed dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania. She has over 25 years of higher education experience, most recently serving as dean for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California.

Dr. Norton is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Diane Uzarski has been named the inaugural dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences at St. Anselm’s College in New Hampshire. She previously spent two decades with Duke University, serving in various faculty and administrative roles within the School of Nursing.

Dr. Uzarski is a graduate of Iona College in New York, where she majored in healthcare administration. She holds a master of public health degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a doctor of nursing practice degree from Duke University.

Sheara Jennings has been appointed dean of the School of Social Work at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She has been with the University of Houston for more than a decade, holding positions such as associate dean of doctoral education in the Graduate College of Social Work, the Humana Endowed Chair in Social Determinants of Health, and special assistant to the provost.

Dr. Jennings is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she majored in rehabilitation psychology. She holds a master of social work degree from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in social intervention research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Stephanie Stemle has been selected to serve as interim dean of Vincennes University Jasper in Indiana. She has been with the university for over a decade, currently serving as the assistant vice president for strategic initiatives.

Stemle holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Katrina Bulkley has been named dean of the Teachers College at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She has been serving as a professor of educational leadership and university innovation fellow at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Dr. Bulkley holds a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in California.

Marisa Chrysochoou has been appointed dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri. She comes to her new position from the University of Connecticut, where she serves as head of the department of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Technical Assistance for Brownfields Program.

Dr. Chrysochoou received her bachelor’s degree in physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and her master’s degree in environmental engineering from Technische Universität in Dresden, Germany. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

Naomi Boyd has been named dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. She has been serving as a professor of finance and dean of the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to her present position, she spent over a decade as a professor of finance at West Virginia University.

Dr. Boyd completed her undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin. She holds an MBA in finance from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from George Washington University.