Provost and Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Richard M. Englert has announced a new leadership team for the transition for the College of Education.

James Earl Davis, professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, has been appointed as interim dean, and James P. Brynes, associate dean, as vice dean. In their past roles, the two have already successfully collaborated to advance the College of Education.

"Under outgoing Dean Kent McGuire, the College of Education saw tremendous growth in research and the recruitment of new scholars as well as the creation of a student-friendly environment," said Englert. "I am confident that together this dynamic team will continue the momentum and guide the school’s outstanding community of scholars toward an even more promising future."

Davis, a leading scholar on gender and schooling outcomes and the sociology of higher education, earned his Ph.D. in Social Policy and Evaluation Research from Cornell University. Byrnes, whose research interests include developing a comprehensive model of academic achievement, and decision-making and risk-taking, earned his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Temple.

A search advisory committee to assist in a national search for a new dean is currently being formed.