Eleven Women Scholars Who Have Been Appointed to Dean Positions

Vijaya L. Gompa was appointed dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. She has been serving as a professor of mathematics and head of the department of mathematical, computing, and information sciences at Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

Dr. Gompa received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with minors in physics and chemistry as well as a master’s degree in mathematics from Andhra University in Waltair, India. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Toledo in Ohio.

Kaetrena Davis Kendrick has been named dean of the Dacus Library and Pettus Archives at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, effective July 1. She has been serving as an associate librarian and associate professor at the University of South Carolina Lancaster.

Kendrick earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Winthrop University and a master of library science degree from Clark Atlanta University.

Ann Marie P. Mauro was appointed dean of the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, effective July 13. She has been serving as the founding associate dean, professor, and director for the Center for Educational Research and Innovation at the Rutgers University School of Nursing.

Dr. Mauro holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing education from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. She earned a Ph.D.  in research and theory development from New York University.

Joyce Bylander was named interim dean at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, starting July 1. She will serve as dean for one year. Bylander retired in 2018 as vice president and dean of students at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

A graduate of Cleveland State University, Bylander began her career in higher education at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, where she also earned a master of public administration degree.

Beverly Brockman has been appointed the Schroeder Family Dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Evansville in Indiana. Most recently, she has served at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as the George Lester Nation Centennial Professor of Entrepreneurship. In addition, for the past nine years, she has served as department head in marketing & entrepreneurship in the university’s Rollins College of Business.

Dr. Brockman earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Kentucky. She holds a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Alabama.

Sarah Feldner, professor of communication studies and acting dean of the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee, was permanently appointed as dean of the college. She has been acting dean since November 2018. Earlier, Professor Feldner was the college’s associate dean for graduate studies and research.

Dr. Feldner holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in speech communication from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in organizational communication from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Sarah E. Peyre has been appointed dean of the Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester, effective July 1. She has been serving as associate dean for innovative education at the University of Rochester Medical Center and executive director of its Institute for Innovative Education. She joined the faculty at the university in 2011.

Dr. Peyre received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a master’s degree in medical education and a doctorate in educational psychology from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.

Dawndra Sechrist will be the next dean of the School of Health Professions at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Dr. Sechrist has been serving as the associate dean for outcomes and assessment at the  School of Health Professions and a tenured associate professor. She previously was the director of the master of occupational therapy program at the university. Dr. Sechrist joined the faculty in 2001 as an assistant professor.

Dr. Sechrist is a graduate of Texas Tech University, where she majored in occupational therapy and physical education. She earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy at Texas Woman’s University and a Ph.D. at Texas Tech University.

Mandy Munro-Stasiuk was named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kent State University in Ohio. Dr. Munro-Stasiuk has been serving as interim senior associate provost for academic affairs since June 1, 2016. Prior to joining the provost’s office, Dr. Munro-Stasiuk served as chair of the department of geography from 2010 to 2015.

Dr. Munro-Stasiuk received a Ph.D. in earth and atmospheric sciences from the University of Alberta in Canada.

Leslie Rush was appointed interim dean of the College of Education at the University of Wyoming. Since 2017, she has served as associate dean who has directed the college’s School of Teacher Education. She joined the faculty in 2001.

Dr. Rush received a bachelor’s degree in history and English from East Texas State University. She earned a master’s degree in reading education from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. in reading education from the University of Georgia.

Tracy Hull was promoted to dean of the Mary Couts Burnett Library on the campus of Texas Chrisitan University in Fort Worth. She has been associate dean of the library since 2007.

Hull holds a master of library and information science degree, a master’s degree in art history, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and sciences, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.