President Pelton Announces New GSE Dean

On June 2, 2011, President M. Lee Peton announced the appointment of Dr. Julie Gess-Newsome as the inaugural dean of the Graduate School of Education (GSE). The search committee was unanimous in her appointment. Below are excerpts from his letter to the Willamette University community:

I am confident that Dr. Gess-Newsome will be an outstanding dean for GSE. She comes to Willamette from Northern Arizona University where she is the J. Lawrence Walkup Distinguished Professor of Science Education and director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning. She is a nationally recognized leader in secondary science and mathematics education, a gifted scholar and researcher, and has been honored for her teaching.

I am delighted in Julie's capacity for innovation, not only in her approach to defining and delivering excellence in teacher preparation, but in her ability to coalesce diverse groups around a common goal. She is viewed as a dynamic leader rooted in the values of collaboration, shared vision and professionalism.

I would like to extend my congratulations and appreciation to Rita Moore whose leadership has been instrumental to the gains GSE has made since June 2007. These achievements include: transition to an independent graduate school within the university, initial NCATE accreditation, expanded offerings to secure new income streams, and increased growth and visibility for Willamette's teacher preparation and administrator programs.

Rita will provide transition support until July 31, 2011, after which she will take a well-deserved sabbatical and resume teaching at the start of the spring semester.

You can read the release about Dr. Gess-Newsome’s appointment at willamette.edu/news/library/2011/06/gse_dean.html.