© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Finalists Named For Dean Of NMSU's College Of Education

  After a national search, four candidates have been named finalists to serve as the next dean of New Mexico State University’s College of Education. Michael A. Morehead, who has served as the college’s dean since 2009 and associate dean since 1992, will retire July 31, 2015. 

“The 20 faculty, staff, students and community volunteers who have participated in this search process have been extremely dedicated and serious about selecting the best candidates for the position of dean, and they are to be commended,” said Miriam Chaiken, dean of the Honors College. “Our final pool represents four individuals with extremely strong profiles, each of whom have diverse talents and experiences.”

The finalists are Alberto Ruiz, dean of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville College of Education and Human Performance; Osman Alawiye, dean of the School of Education
at St. Cloud State University; Robert Spina, associate dean of Undergraduate Education & College Assessment at Old Dominion University; and Donald Pope-Davis, professor of the Clinical Psychology Program at DePaul University.

Ruiz earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and an Ed.D. in physical education from the University of Houston. He was honored with the Texas Distance Learning Association Outstanding Commitment to Excellence and Innovation in Distance Learning by a 4-year University award, in 2014. 

Ruiz will meet with members of the campus leadership and community Feb. 25-26, where on the 25th he will make a presentation on “A Vision for the NMSU College of Education” that is open to the public. This open forum will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Room 109 of the Pete V. Domenici Building.

Alawiye served as dean of the Ella Cline Shear School of Education for State University of New York-Geneseo for six years prior to serving as dean of the School of Education at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and sociology from Dakota Wesleyan University, master’s from the University of South Dakota and his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a minor in educational management and development from NMSU. He will follow the same schedule of meetings and public forums onTuesday, March 3, in O’Donnell Hall Room 111.

Spina is an associate dean for undergraduate education and college assessment at Old Dominion University of Norfolk, Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and minor in biology from C.W. Post College of Long Island University and his master’s degree from Queens College, City University of New York. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Spina also served as the interim department chair of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Technology and Professional Studies at Darden College of Education. Spina’s interviews and forum will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, in Room 109 of Domenici Hall. 

Pope-Davis is a professor of the clinical psychology program at DePaul University, in Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and theology from Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois; his master’s degree in counseling psychology from Indiana University; and Ph.D. from Stanford University, Stanford, California. He served as provost of academic affairs at DePaul University from 2013-2014 and associate provost for eight years at the University of Notre Dame. Pope-Davis will be available Thursday, March 19, on the same schedule as the other finalists in Room 109 of Domenici Hall.

“We hope everyone will attend the open forums at 4:30 p.m. to hear their visions for the future of the College of Education, and to participate in the question and answer session following the presentations,” Chaiken said. “I also invite everyone to submit feedback through the link on the page, as we value your opinions of the candidates.”

For more information, including a complete schedule and curriculum vitae for each finalist and details about the College of Education, visit http://webcomm.nmsu.edu/hire/dean-college-of-education/finalists-4/

Information from NMSU