December 20, 2017

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Walter G. Secada, Ph.D., will serve as acting dean of the School of Education and Human Development beginning January 1, 2018. Professor Secada, who is currently professor of teaching and learning and senior associate dean of the School of Education and Human Development, will serve as acting dean until a new dean is named during the spring semester.

Since joining the UM faculty in the fall of 2003, he has been associate director and co-principal investigator (PI) of the original Promoting Science among English Language Learners (P-SELL) study, which introduced a hands-on method of learning that dramatically improved test scores among English-language learners in Miami schools. He also served as associate director and co-PI of Science Made Sensible, which pairs doctoral students in the STEM fields with middle school teachers, and as director and PI of Language in Mathematics, designed to help teachers better facilitate mathematics for English-language learners.

In 2016, he was appointed to an inaugural seat on NASA’s 15-member National Advisory Council Science Committee, helping the committee translate new knowledge from space exploration into an educational mission.

Professor Secada earned a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and M.S. in mathematics and a Ph.D. in education from Northwestern University. His research interests include equity in education, mathematics and bilingual education, school restructuring, professional development of teachers, student engagement, and reform. His wealth of knowledge will continue to be an asset to the School.

We will be conducting a rigorous national search for a permanent dean of the School of Education and Human Development who will continue to build on our achievements. Please join me in thanking Isaac Prilleltensky for his service and welcoming professor Secada to his new leadership role.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey L. Duerk, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost