New Dean Appointments for Four Women Scholars

Carolyn McNamara Barry has been named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. She currently serves as professor, program director, and chair of the department of psychology, as well as associate dean for social sciences and graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University in Maryland.

Dr. Barry graduated summa cum laude from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, where she majored in psychology and minored in sociology, Spanish, and secondary education. She holds a Ph.D. in human development with a specialization in educational psychology from the University of Maryland.

Jean Giddens has been appointed dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Kansas. She is currently the Doris B. Yingling Endowed Chair and dean of the School of Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Giddens holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Ph.D. in education and human resources studies from Colorado State University.

Bessie Rigakos has been promoted to vice president and dean of Saint Joseph’s College at Marian University in Indiana. She has been with the Marian University faculty since 2010, and previously served as chair of the history and social science department. She currently serves as academic dean of Saint Joseph’s College.

Dr. Rigakos received her Ph.D. in sociology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Shelbie Witte has been named dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of North Dakota. Currently, she is the Kim and Chuck Watson Endowed Chair in Education, senior director of outreach and teacher education, and professor of adolescent literacy and English education at Oklahoma State University. 

Dr. Witte graduated from the University of Oklahoma where she received a bachelor’s degree in instructional leadership and academic curriculum. She earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Kansas State University.