Dr. Stephanie J. Rowley, University of Virginia's incoming dean of the School of Education and Human Development
Rowley is currently the provost, vice president for academic affairs, and dean at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she is a professor of psychology and education. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees in developmental psychology from UVA.
"I am thrilled to welcome Stephanie Rowley back to UVA," said Dr. Ian Baucom, provost of the university. "Stephanie has a proven track record of improving research infrastructure, supporting faculty and students, partnering with the community, and focusing on diversity and equity — all crucial elements of the School of Education and Human Development's dynamic future."
Rowley researches how parents' attitudes toward race and gender as well as their social experiences shape their children's motivation in school. She recently ran a longitudinal study of African American parents' beliefs about STEM disciplines and how those views impact middle school youth.
At Teachers College (TC), Rowley garnered a 12% increase in federal grants and strengthened teacher education partnerships with local and state schools. She also worked on a transparent pay equity review for staff. Rowley additionally introduced a faculty search committee training to reduce bias and started TC's first Target of Opportunity hiring program. This year as a result, nearly two-thirds of the faculty hired at TC are people of color.
Previously, Rowley held leadership roles at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, recently as the associate vice president for research for social science, arts, and humanities. Her efforts there included launching a diversity postdoctoral program, a model that the university continues to use.
"I could not be more excited to join the School of Education and Human Development and return to UVA," said Rowley. "The school has an incredibly talented group of students, staff, and faculty who emphasize research and practice in equal measure to address our nation's educational, and mental and physical health challenges. I am looking forward to helping this community develop and expand public higher education's role in shaping our democracy and preparing future educational leaders."
