New Dean Appointments for Six Women in Higher Education

Laila Khreisat was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the Gregory H. Olsen College of Engineering and Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Dr. Khreisat first joined the university’s faculty in 2005 as an assistant professor and achieved the rank of full professor in 2018. She previously served as chair of the department of math and computer science and associate dean of the Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Khreisat earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science from Yarmouk University in Jordan. She holds a master’s degree in computer science from Columbia University and a second master’s degree and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the City University of New York.

Tracy DeLiberty has been selected to serve as interim dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of Delaware. She has served as the college’s deputy dean for the past four years. A University of Delaware faculty member for over three decades, Dr. DeLiberty is a scholar in climate science, geographic information systems, and remote sensing.

Dr. Liberty is a graduate of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. She holds a master’s degree in geography from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Oklahoma.

Alicia Purvis is dean of the College of Health Sciences at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. A nurse for more than 20 years, Dr Purvis first joined the university’s School of Nursing as an administrator in 2016. Three years later, she was promoted to dean of nursing. Her clinical background includes experience in emergency medicine and critical care units.

Dr. Purvis earned her master’s degree and doctorate in nursing from William Carey University.

Angie Bos has been appointed vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Dr. Bos currently serves as dean of the School of Public Service at Boise State University in Idaho. Before joining the Boise State faculty, she was chair of the department of political science and associate dean for experiential learning at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Her research examines the challenges women face when seeking leadership roles in politics.

Dr. Bos received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris and both her master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Debbie Dailey is dean of the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas. Over the course of her 13-year tenure with the university, Dr. Dailey has served as a faculty member, chair of the department of teaching and learning, interim associate dean, and interim dean. Before her career in higher education, she spent 20 years in K-12 classrooms and schools.

A two-time graduate of Arkansas State University, Dr. Dailey earned her doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jodi Price was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Before her interim appointment in June 2025, Dr. Price was the college’s associate dean. A faculty member since 2008, she previously served as chair of the department of psychology. Her research examines how learning and memory change across the lifespan.

Dr. Price received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in experimental psychology from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. She holds a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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