Dean of education bids adieu to GCSU
GCSU’s College of Education Dean Dr. Linda Irwin-DeVitis said the time has come in her career for another challenge. Now, after a distinguished, seven-year tenure at GCSU, she will be moving on. Irwin-DeVitis has accepted the position as dean of the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University in Norkfolk, Va.
“It’s a bittersweet move. I love Georgia College, and I love the people and all the place has to offer,” Irwin-DeVitis said. “But as it goes in this business after seven years, I feel like it’s time for new leadership here, and I think it’s time for me to take on one more new challenge.”
During her time as the dean of the John H. Lounsbury College of Education at GCSU, Irwin-Devitis has seen the college improve and gain a bigger reputation, including its receiving a selection as a Program of Distinction by the university.
“It has some of the best career preparation in the state and I think we’re really starting to see it get some national recognition as well,” Irwin-Devitis said. “I think it will only continue to grow and improve under the next dean and I look forward to seeing that.”
Irwin-Devitis’ peers have good things to say about the work she’s done at GCSU.
“She’s helped to elevate this college’s reputation and the performance of its students,” said Dr. Sandra Jordan, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “She is a visionary leader and operates from a highly refined set of values. And she has tremendous personal integrity and character.”
Another major brainchild of the College of Education under Irwin-Devitis has been the school’s Early College program, which consists of seventh graders from Baldwin and Putnam counties. Students in the program are selected by fifth grade test scores, indicating if they are unlikely to attend college or possibly drop out of high school. The program is also solely for students without family members who have a college background. Students in the program earn college credits and, beginning in the fall of 2011, the school will have a grades 7-12 structure.
“She’s been instrumental in creating that program,” Jordan said.
“It’s been a critical success,” Irwin-Devitis said. “It’s changing aspirations and lives.”
As for her new job at Old Dominion, Irwin-Devitis said it was an opportunity she couldn’t refuse.
“It’s very exciting for me. The school is twice as large, with an education faculty of about 109,” she said. “It’s also in an urban area, where I’ve spent the majority of my professional career.”
Another major deciding factor for Irwin-Devitis was the school’s number of doctoral programs.
“That had a big effect as well,” she said. “It’s going to be a challenge for me and one I’m looking forward to.”
Jordan said the search for a permanent new education dean at GCSU will begin in the fall.
“I will be seeking input from the faculty soon and discuss appointing an interim dean. Then, in the fall, we will launch a national search for the next dean.”
Even though she is departing Irwin-DeVitis said she will miss the university and continue to follow it.
“I’m so grateful to Dr. Leland and Dr. Jordan. I’ll miss everything about here. We have terrific department chairs and faculty, and phenomenal students,” Irwin-DeVitis said. “A strong foundation has been laid here. This place is in great shape and I look forward to seeing it grow under the new leadership.”
Posted by Scotty Thompson
on Apr 16 2010. Filed under News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
