Jane S. Bray Appointed Interim Dean of Education
July 08, 2013
Jane S. Bray
Jane S. Bray, who recently retired after 12 years as dean of education and associate provost at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, has been appointed interim dean of Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education, announced Provost Carol Simpson.
Bray, who will assume the role July 15, will hold the position while Old Dominion University undertakes a national search this fall for a new dean. She will succeed Linda Irwin-DeVitis, who recently stepped down after leading the College for the past three years.
Bray brings to ODU considerable experience in higher education administration, serving as professor of elementary and early childhood education at Millersville University. She served on her university's Institutional Review Board, administered faculty and student grants for research and travel, and collaborated with faculty to develop a new multidisciplinary degree program.
Old Dominion University engaged the services of AGB Search, Inc. to help identify qualified and immediately available candidates for the interim position.
"Dr. Bray brings to ODU a wealth of experience in leading educational and professional programs. Her background in early childhood education and support for STEM education make her a natural fit for the Darden College during the search process for the next dean of the college," said Provost Carol Simpson.
Bray has been selected to serve on the academic advisory council for the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET) and currently serves on the board of directors for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, where she recently completed a term on its executive board.
As dean for the School of Education at Millersville, she provided leadership for five academic departments: Educational Foundations; Elementary and Early Childhood Education; Applied Engineering, Safety and Technology; Psychology; and Wellness and Sports Sciences.
Bray received her doctorate in education from Lehigh University in 1994, and holds an MS and BS in Elementary Education from Kutztown University.
In a letter to the campus community, the Provost also thanked Irwin-DeVitis for her stewardship of the Darden College the past three years.
"The college has greatly advanced in the national rankings and is seeing considerable faculty, student and alumni successes," Simpson wrote. "As I have previously communicated to the college faculty, the search for the next dean of the Darden College will now commence straight away and will involve representation from the faculty, administrative staff, student body, alumni, the College's advisory board and the external community."
The Darden College of Education prepares distinguished professionals who become leaders in their fields. It aims to be recognized as one of the top metropolitan colleges of education in the United States, attracting diverse students and faculty, providing a model for metropolitan, higher education. Through the power of daily actions, Darden students, faculty and alumni are committed to benefiting the lives of children, families and communities.