Five Women Who Have Been Selected for University Dean Positions

Tuba Özkan-Haller has been named dean of the university’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. She has served as acting or interim dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences since August 2021. Dr. Özkan-Haller previously served as associate vice president for research administration and development at the university.

Professor Özkan-Haller holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Türkiye. She earned master’s and doctorate degrees in civil engineering from the University of Delaware.

Neporcha Cone was appointed to serve as dean of the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University, effective July 1. She is a professor of science education at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

Professor Cone is a graduate of Florida State University, where she majored in biology. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction in science education from the University of South Florida.

Kelly Chandler-Olcott, the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence, was appointed dean of the Syracuse University School of Education. She has served as interim dean since 2021. Earlier, she served as chair of the department of reading and language arts (2008-15) and associate dean for research (2015-18).

Professor Chandler-Olcott earned an educational doctorate at the University of Maine.

Julie M. Aultman, a professor in the department of family and community medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, is the new dean of the College of Graduate Studies at the university. She is a clinical ethicist and director of medical ethics and humanities at the College of Graduate Studies.

Dr. Aultman earned a master’s degree in bioethics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She holds a Ph.D. in medical ethics and cognitive science from Michigan State University.

Letitia Williams has been named associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Before her arrival at Morgan State, Dr. Williams served in multiple positions at the University of the District of Columbia, most recently as associate vice president and dean of students.

Dr. Williams is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where she majored in history. She holds a master’s degree in education policy and leadership and a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Maryland College Park.