Five Universities Have Appointed Women to Dean Positions

Rae Matsumoto was appointed dean of its Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Dr. Matsumotohas served as dean of the Touro University California College of Pharmacy in Vallejo, California, since 2014. Earlier, she was the associate dean for research and graduate programs in the School of Pharmacy at West Virginia University.

Dr. Matsumoto is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she double majored in psychology and biology. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in psychology from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Desha L. Williams has been named dean of the College of Education and Social Work at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. She will begin her new duties on July 1. Since 2018, Dr. Williams has been serving as a professor of mathematics education and chair of the department of teacher education at Georgia College and State University. Earlier, she taught at Kennesaw State University in Georgia for 11 years.

Professor Williams is a graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta. She earned a master’s degree in mathematics education and a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from Georgia State University.

Allison Vorderstrasse will be the next dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She will take office on July 1. Dr. Vorderstrasse currently serves as a faculty member and director of the Florence S. Downs Ph.D. Program in Nursing Research and Theory Development at New York University.

Dr. Vorderstrasse received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in nursing from Yale University.

Heather R. Parker was appointed dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Saint Leo University in St. Leo, Florida. Dr. Parker has served in the role on an interim basis since November 2018. Earlier, she served as associate dean. Dr. Parker joined the Saint Leo faculty in August 2006 as an assistant professor of history and advanced through the teaching ranks to a full professorship.

Dr. Parker earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in history, all from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Winona State University in Minnesota has appointed Marianne Collins as interim dean of the College of Business. Before her appointment, Dean Collins has been a professor in the university’s marketing department for 11 years, serving as chair since 2017.

Collins is a graduate of Colorado State University and holds a master of public affairs degree from Harvard University.