Wilkinson named vice chancellor’s special assistant for academic initiatives

Wilkinson named vice chancellor’s special assistant for academic initiativesJune 07, 2005Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

Beginning Aug. 1, Louise Wilkinson, dean of SU’s School of Education, will assume new responsibilities as special assistant to the vice chancellor for academic initiatives.

The new assignment will allow Wilkinson to continue to serve the University in her field of expertise while giving her the flexibility to attend to family health matters. Wilkinson’s new duties will include working closely with the University-sponsored High School for Leadership and Public Service in New York City and developing program quality assurance procedures, including preparation for the upcoming Middle States Association review of the University. She will resign as dean of the School of Education on July 30.

During her tenure as dean, Wilkinson has focused on helping the School of Education reassert its tradition of leadership in improving and informing educational practice for diverse communities of learners. Under her direction, the school has seen increases in enrollment and charitable giving. Her priorities have included developing diversity studies programs and improving faculty diversity with new appointments. Wilkinson also helped launch the groundbreaking interdisciplinary Center for Disability Studies, Law and Human Policy, a University-wide initiative. A strong proponent of foreign study opportunities, she established new programs for the study of inclusive education at the University’s centers in London and Florence, and developed a joint graduate program with the Singapore Institute of Management.

“I have dedicated 22 years to leadership in higher education, 19 of them as dean of two major AAU schools of education,” Wilkinson says. “Serving as dean for the past two years has been a rewarding experience. It has been a privilege to work with colleagues who share my belief that diverse learning communities create conditions that both enrich educational experiences and provide opportunities for all to realize their full potential.”

An internationally recognized leader in education, Wilkinson is best known for her extensive research on children’s language and literacy learning; she has been published in 121 articles, chapters and volumes. Her latest work, “Language and Literacy Learning in Schools,” was published in November 2004 by Guilford Press.

Wilkinson came to Syracuse from Rutgers University in 2003 to serve as dean. She holds an academic appointment as distinguished professor of education, psychology and communication sciences and looks forward to continuing her active research agenda at SU.

“We’re sorry to lose Louise as a dean,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund. “She was the right person at the right time. During her tenure, program quality, enrollment, faculty diversity and quality, and fiscal performance all improved. It is much to her credit-and our good fortune-that she has the expertise and willingness to continue to serve the University at this new level.”