Gary Henry Named Dean of UD College of Education and Human Development
Gary T. Henry, a nationally recognized education policy scholar who has worked extensively in establishing educational partnerships and improving pre-K and K-12 school performance, has been named the next dean of the University of Delaware College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), UD President Dennis Assanis and Provost Robin W. Morgan announced today. His appointment is effective Aug. 16.
Henry, who is currently the Patricia and H. Rodes Hart Chair, professor of public policy and education, and director of graduate studies in the Department of Leadership Policy and Organizations at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, succeeds Carol Vukelich, who has led CEHD since 2015. She will return to the college faculty.
Assanis said, “Dr. Henry combines signature strengths in both scholarship and leadership that will serve him well as the next dean of our College of Education and Human Development. I am confident that he will foster academic excellence that will inspire our faculty, students and staff as we develop the next generation of educators. I look forward to working with him in his new role at Delaware.”
“Gary Henry has an impressive record of turning research into action,” Morgan said. “He has worked closely with local, state and regional school systems to help them improve, and this experience will serve him well as he creates an environment at Delaware that supports the development of tomorrow’s education leaders and to improve educational policies and performance.
“Our special thanks go to Carol Vukelich, who has served the college so well as dean,” she continued. “With her return to the college faculty, we will continue to benefit from her insights and wisdom. We are also grateful to the members of the search committee, chaired by Dean Mark Rieger, for their dedication and commitment in completing this national search.”
“It is a great honor to be selected to become the next dean for the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware,” Henry said, “and to have the opportunity to build on the accomplishments of its leadership, faculty, students and staff. I am excited about having the college play a role in realizing the vision that President Assanis has articulated for the University.
“The College of Education and Human Development, in partnership with Provost Morgan and key stakeholders, will continue to evaluate educational and social programs, identify emerging issues and drive policy solutions for issues affecting Delaware and mid-Atlantic region,” he said.