Six Women Appointed to Dean Positions at Major Universities

Marie T. Nolan, professor and executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, has been appointed interim dean of the school. Dr. Nolan previously served as associate dean for academic affairs, chair of the department of acute and chronic care, and director of the nursing Ph.D. program.

Dr. Nolan earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Niagara University in New York, a master’s degree in nursing from Boston College, and a Ph.D. in nursing from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also holds a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University and a master of public health degree from George Washington University.

Dana A. Williams was named dean of the Graduate School at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Williams has served in positions of increasing responsibility at Howard University, including, most recently, as interim dean of the Graduate School and previously as chair of the department of English. She is the past president of the College Language Association.

Dr. Williams received a bachelor’s degree in English from Grambling State University in Louisiana. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in English from Howard University.

Angie Kamath was appointed dean of the School of Professional Studies at New York University, effective July 1. Since 2017, she has been serving as University Dean at the City University of New York.

Kamath earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and applied economics from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She holds a master of public policy degree from the Kennedy School at Harvard University.

Ann E. Austin was appointed interim dean of the Michigan State University College of Education, effective July 1. Professor Austin is currently associate dean for research in the College of Education, where she has been a faculty member in the department of educational administration since 1991. She was named a University Distinguished Professor in 2019.

Professor Austin holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Rachel Tolbert Kimbro, an award-winning educator and an expert in the field of children’s health, has been named dean of the School of Social Sciences at Rice University in Houston, Texas, effective July 1. Dr. Kimbro joined the faculty at the university in 2007. She was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and full professor in 2016.

Professor Kimbro earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and policy studies at Rice University in 2001. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University in New Jersey.

Deborah Berke has been appointed to a second term as dean of the Yale School of Architecture. She is the first woman to lead the school. Berke has taught architecture at Yale since 1987 and is the founder of the design firm Deborah Berke Partners in New York. She is the co-editor of The Architecture of the Everyday (Princeton Architectural Press, 1997).

Berke holds two bachelor’s degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design and a master of urban planning degree from the City University of New York.