Six Women Who Have Been Named to Dean Positions at Colleges and Universities

Wendy Suzuki, a professor of neural science and psychology, has been named the Seryl Kushner Dean of the College of Arts & Science at New York University, effective September 1. Dr. Suzuki, who joined the university’s faculty in 1998, focuses her research on the effects of physical activity on the human brain and its potential to improve learning, memory, and higher cognitive abilities. She is the author of Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion (Atria Books, 2021).

Dr. Suzuki earned a bachelor’s degree in physiology and anatomy from the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego.

Claire Gleitman was appointed dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences at Ithaca College in New York. She has served as interim dean this past academic year after nearly three decades of teaching in the department of literatures in English. Dr. Gleitman is the author of the forthcoming book Anxious Masculinity in Arthur Miller’s Drama and Beyond: Salesmen, Sluggers and Big Daddies (Bloomsbury Press, 2022).

Deam Gleitman is a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from New York University.

Sharon Porterfield was appointed dean of the College of Education at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was chair of the Division of Education at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama. Previously, Dr. Porterfield worked with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Urban Teacher Enhancement Program to help recruit highly qualified educators to teach in at-risk schools.

Dr. Porterfeld holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Amy Hardison Tully was named the inaugural Teresa Ann Carter King Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She was interim associate provost for student success and previously associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

Dr. Tully holds a bachelor’s degree in flute performance from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She earned a master’s degree in musicology from Northwestern University and a doctorate of musical arts degree in flute performance from the University of South Carolina.

Paola Sztajn has been appointed dean of the College of Education at North Carolina State University. She has been serving as interim dean since October 2021. Dr. Sztajn joined the faculty at the university in 2008 as a professor in the department of elementary education. In 2011, she became the College of Education’s assistant dean for diversity.

Dr. Sztajn received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Universidade Federal Fluminense in Brazil. She holds a master’s degree in physics from Universidade Estadual de Campinas in Brazil and a Ph.D. in mathematics education from Indiana University.

Staci Simonich has been named dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. She is the first woman to serve as dean. She has served as acting dean of the college since March 1 and as executive associate dean for nearly two years. Dr. Simonich, who joined the faculty in 2001, will also serve as director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and will serve as the Reub A. Long Professor.

Dr. Simonich holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She earned an MBA from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University.