September 23, 2019: College of Education and Human Development Leadership Transition

Dear Colleagues,

Jean Quam, dean of the College of Education and Human Development since 2009, has announced her decision to step down as of August 1, 2020. Please join me in extending deepest appreciation to Jean for her leadership of the college over the past ten years.

Dean Quam has served both the college and the University with distinction. When she assumed the deanship in 2009, the existing College of Education, College of Human Ecology, and General College had been newly brought together as CEHD; the college was only beginning to define its vision and had not yet embarked on critical strategic planning. Under her leadership, CEHD has made great strides in achieving its vision of increasing opportunities for all individuals across their lifespans, and it is positioned exceptionally well for the future.

For example, CEHD is pursuing groundbreaking research in educational equity, autism, wellbeing and aging, and children’s mental health. Additionally, CEHD has partnered with the Medical School to propose a new interdisciplinary Institute of Child and Adolescent Brain Health. Jean has also overseen the building of a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive college culture, where diversity among the faculty, staff, and the student body is a priority and a strength.

CEHD is now on solid financial footing, in part through Dean Quam’s encouragement of innovation and technology that has led to new revenue streams, as demonstrated by the recent sale of Flipgrid to Microsoft. The college is also well ahead of schedule on its expanded campaign goal of $100 million.

I am grateful to Dean Quam for her exemplary service and for her commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. She has positioned CEHD exceptionally well to attract an outstanding candidate pool. I will be working with the college to launch a national search later this fall, with the aim of having the next executive vice president and provost name the new dean by the latter part of next spring semester.

Again, please join me in expressing deepest appreciation to Jean for her extraordinary service and leadership.

Sincerely,

Karen Hanson
Executive Vice President and Provost

Email sent September 23, 2019 to the Twin Cities administrative email list.