麻豆原创鈥檚 New Chief Academic Officer: Stephanie J. Rowley
An educational psychologist and institution builder who unites great minds

Teachers College named Stephanie J. Rowley, a prominent educational psychologist and multidisciplinary research administrator at the University of Michigan (U-M), its next Provost, Dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2019. Rowley succeeded Thomas James, who will remain Professor and Co-Director 鈥 with Ansley T. Erickson, Associate Professor of History & Education 鈥 of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center on History and Education.

鈥淪tephanie Rowley is an eminent scholar and a consummate institution builder with a record of success in uniting great minds to develop innovative approaches and solutions to society鈥檚 pressing challenges,鈥 said 麻豆原创 President Thomas Bailey. 鈥淪he will help us make the most of our many strengths and deepen and expand our already vibrant connections to our surrounding community and external partner organizations.鈥

Stephanie J. Rowley

Stephanie J. Rowley (Photo: Courtesy of Michigan Photography)

鈥淚 was initially drawn by 麻豆原创鈥檚 rich history and reputation, but soon realized that this role would be an ideal fit for me because of the possibilities for combining multidisciplinary strengths,鈥 Rowley said. 鈥溌槎乖 has so many visible and highly engaged scholars. There鈥檚 so much opportunity to connect with New York City and its public schools and to reap the benefits of being in such a diverse and dynamic place.鈥

A Professor of Psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Rowley has served as Associate Vice President for Research (Social Sciences and Humanities), in U-M鈥檚 Office of Research. She previously chaired U-M鈥檚 Department of Psychology and its Combined Program in Education and Psychology.

There鈥檚 so much opportunity to connect with New York City and its public schools and to reap the benefits of being in such a diverse and dynamic place.

鈥 Stephanie J. Rowley, Provost, Dean of the College & Vice President for Academic Affairs

As a research administrator, Rowley has ensured the participation of social scientists and humanists in key multidisciplinary University initiatives. As a scholar, she has explored how parents鈥 social experiences, attitudes and beliefs influence how they socialize their children, and how that socialization process affects children鈥檚 motivation in school.

S. Jack Hu, U-M鈥檚 Vice President for Research, said Rowley has provided 鈥渆xceptional leadership in developing and coordinating innovative initiatives.鈥 Elizabeth Cole, U-M鈥檚 Interim Dean, said Rowley has made 鈥渓asting impacts through her collaborative style, her commitment to diversity and inclusion, and her unfailing support for faculty research.鈥

Combining the Fundamental and the Applied: JoAnne Williams, 麻豆原创鈥檚 new Finance & Administration VP
A focus on maximizing 麻豆原创鈥檚 impact on society

JoAnne Williams, who has held top administrative positions in academia and industry, became Teachers College鈥檚 Vice President for Finance & Administration in February. 

JoAnne Williams, 麻豆原创鈥檚 new Finance & Administration VP

JoAnne Williams

JoAnne Williams, 麻豆原创鈥檚 new Finance & Administration VP (Photograph: Bruce Gilbert)

Born in Costa Rica, Williams grew up and worked throughout South America and Europe. She earned a law degree at University of Detroit Mercy; worked for General Motors, Electronic Data Systems and Siemens handling issues related to product development and research, intellectual property rights, initial public offerings, computer-aided engineering design and business ventures worldwide; and eventually switched to academia. She served as Clemson University鈥檚 Assistant Vice President for Research & Economic Development; as Associate Dean of Administration for Cornell University鈥檚 College of Engineering; and most recently, as Vice Dean for Administration for Rutgers University鈥檚 School of Arts & Sciences in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her responsibilities there included fiscal planning, administrative services and facilities. She also oversaw the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Finance and Business Affairs, and the Office of Information Technology.

Williams is excited about leveraging 麻豆原创鈥檚 assets to achieve the maximum impact to society. She says she has quickly realized that 鈥渢he name 鈥楾eachers College鈥 is a bit of a misnomer, because there is so much other wonderful stuff going on here.鈥 She also sees 鈥渁 real desire to do intentional things to improve the world 鈥 a combination of the fundamental and the applied.鈥

 

 

In Praise of Failure
A Nobel Laureate delivers 麻豆原创鈥檚 inaugural Yu Panglin Lecture

Martin Chalfie EPIC 2019

CHEMICAL REACTION Martin Chalfie charmed his audience (Photograph: Bruce Gilbert)

Calling failure 鈥減art of discovering nature and the world around us,鈥 2008 chemistry Nobel Laureate delivered the inaugural Yu Panglin Lecture of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Education for Persistence and Innovation Center (EPIC) in March. 麻豆原创 President Thomas Bailey and Dennis Pang, Yu Panglin Charitable Trust Chairman, expanded the Trust鈥檚 partnership with EPIC.

Chalfie, University Professor at Columbia, has produced a biological marker for gene expression. The late Yu Panglin, a global real estate developer who overcame poverty, donated his fortune to charity. The Yu Panglin Charitable Trust supports work in medicine, education and disaster relief.

 

They鈥檝e Got Mail: Thanking 麻豆原创鈥檚 faculty

麻豆原创鈥檚 first Faculty Appreciation Week, in March, yielded hundreds of online testimonials to faculty鈥檚 brilliance, mentorship and concern for a better world.

Doctoral student Jessica Smagler thanked Dirck Roosevelt, Associate Professor in Curriculum & Teaching, 鈥渇or always building me up when I start to doubt myself.鈥

A female student thanked Dolores Perin, Professor of Psychology & Education, for 鈥渂eing someone I can trust, ask advice, and rely on as a woman and a mentor in the academy!鈥

Others spoke of awakening to 麻豆原创鈥檚 richness: 鈥淧rofessor Erica Walker 鈥 Your patience is beyond all understanding . . . you have encouraged me to slow down and embrace the experience.鈥

And this anonymous note confirmed that faculty help students realize their dreams:

Lisa Wright: You once asked us, 鈥淲hat is your superpower?鈥 and challenged us to think about our strengths. I have seen your power 鈥 in your work with students, faculty and staff. Thank you for sharing your superpower and challenging us to find the power within ourselves.

 

The Civic Engineer
Tom James has a created a community that fosters ideas

Two words reflect Tom James鈥 12-year tenure as 麻豆原创鈥檚 Provost, Dean and VP for Academic Affairs: 鈥渋nnovation鈥 and 鈥渃ivility.鈥

Provost Tom James

Safeguarding the Commons James says the current climate in America reminds him of 鈥淭he Tragedy of the Commons,鈥 an essay about Britain鈥檚 19th-century privatization of its pasture land. 鈥淓ducation,鈥 he says, 鈥渋s one of our commons as a democratic society.鈥 (Photograph: Bruce Gilbert)

鈥淐hange comes from everywhere in an organization,鈥 says James, who stepped down July 1st but remains Professor and Co-Director (with Ansley Erickson) of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center on History and Education. 鈥淭he challenge is to create cooperation and mutual respect so everyone feels free to think, speak and act.鈥

In 2007, James established the Provost鈥檚 Investment Fund to seed promising cross-disciplinary faculty projects. He has led 麻豆原创鈥檚 hiring of over 70 new faculty members who 鈥渁re envisioning and shaping the future of their fields.鈥 And he has helped faculty members 鈥 and faculty of color in particular 鈥 become department chairs, chaired professors, heads of 麻豆原创 centers and institutes, senior advisors and associate deans.

鈥淚 want us to be a community where people develop their leadership potential,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hat matters not just for 麻豆原创, but for all education, health and psychology.鈥

At a time of rising segregation and class and political tensions, 麻豆原创 must emphasize education鈥檚 importance: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 happening in this country reminds me of Garrett Hardin鈥檚 essay on 鈥楾he Tragedy of the Commons鈥 [about the 19th-century privatization of Britain鈥檚 common pastures]. Public education is one of our commons as a democratic society.鈥 At 麻豆原创, safeguarding that commons begins with reaffirming Teachers College 鈥渁s a learning organization, for ourselves as well as for students.鈥

Following a sabbatical, James will engage in research, teaching and service, including a seminar aiming to create a sequel to the late 麻豆原创 president and education historian Lawrence A. Cremin鈥檚 History of Teachers College, which covered the first half of 麻豆原创鈥檚 nearly 130-year history. And James will keep advocating for education for all. 鈥淚 believe our march toward universal access and educational rights is unstoppable, because that鈥檚 what this society is all about.鈥 鈥 JOE LEVINE

Change comes from everywhere in an organization. The challenge is to create cooperation and mutual respect so everyone feels free to think, speak and act.

鈥 Thomas James

 

A Full Plate at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Tisch Food Center

Serving wholesome school lunch sounds simple 鈥 but not in New York City. 麻豆原创鈥檚 Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy in the Nutrition Education Program is evaluating efforts to transform 1,700 school cafeterias to prepare fresh food from scratch.

Separately, Executive Director Pamela Koch will teach an online summer course to equip public school teachers to teach food and nutrition education. In January, the Center testified for a bill requiring annual reporting to the City Council on nutrition education in schools. And the Center is supporting the WELL Campaign, a legislative effort to provide New York students with health-supporting schools.

 

Erica Walker is 麻豆原创鈥檚 Clifford Brewster Upton Professor

Erica N. Walker, an authority on the sociocultural factors and educational policies and practices that facilitate math engagement, learning and performance, is 麻豆原创鈥檚 new Clifford Brewster Upton Professor of Mathematical Education.

Erica Walker, Clifford Brewster Upton Professor of Mathematical Education

Erica Walker Clifford Brewster Upton Professor of Mathematical Education (Photograph: Bruce Gilbert)

Walker chairs 麻豆原创鈥檚 Department of Mathematics, Science & Technology and directs its . A former high school teacher, she has written Building Mathematics Learning Communities: Improving Outcomes in Urban High Schools and Beyond Banneker: Black Mathematicians and the Paths to Excellence. In 2015, she delivered the Mathematical Association of America鈥檚 100th-anniversary lecture.

鈥淭he Upton Chair signifies a true thought leader in mathematics education,鈥 said Provost Thomas James. 鈥淧rofessor Walker鈥檚 new paradigm for leveraging informal mathematical 鈥榮ocialization鈥 has inspired more young students to engage in creative problem-solving and identify as 鈥榤ath people.鈥 She has created a successful model for peer tutoring in high schools. And she is universally respected as a statesperson at Teachers College and in academia.鈥

 

Loud Reports: Headline-Makers from 麻豆原创

Loud Report (illustration)

Education assessment鈥檚 next wave; getting reading programs on the same page; 鈥渟chools of choice鈥 that are too choosy (Illustration: Jasu Hu)

As 44 states began meeting the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act鈥檚 testing and accountability requirements, 麻豆原创 measurement-evaluation expert Madhabi Chatterji warned in a National Education Policy Center publication of a new wave of inappropriate high-stakes testing. Many states planned to use testing to rank, rate or examine schools鈥 or education systems鈥 growth, which Chatterji likened to 鈥渕isreading a Fahrenheit thermometer in degrees Celsius.鈥

Thomas Hatch, Co-Director of 麻豆原创鈥檚 National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools & Teaching (NCREST), and colleagues Meesuk Ahn, Daniel Ferguson and Alyson Rumberger reported that the 100-plus intermediary organizations and support providers that help New York City public schools with K鈥3 reading have the goals, services, reach and personnel to improve outcomes. The authors call for 鈥渆xplicit strategies鈥 for 鈥済reater coherence . . . to increase the effectiveness of the sector overall.鈥

Economists Peter Bergman (麻豆原创) and Isaac McFarlin, Jr., (University of Florida College of Education) sent emails from fictitious parents to thousands of charter and traditional public schools of choice. Each email asked if any student could apply but randomly signaled the inquiring student鈥檚 disability status, behavior quality or prior academic achievement and randomly implied race, gender or household structure. Charters and traditional public schools of choice more often ignored inquiries from students they perceived as more challenging to educate, with charters ignoring inquiries from special-needs students at higher rates 鈥 a 鈥渒ey source of potential inequality,鈥 Bergman says.

 

IN BRIEF

WAR鈥橲 MORAL INJURIES

Psychological treatment can help military veterans who witness or experience violence. But what about those who participated in violence? 鈥淪omething before God cannot necessarily be fixed by cognitive therapy,鈥 , founder of the 麻豆原创 Spirituality Mind Body Institute, told 24 visiting U.S. Army chaplains in October. The chaplains must seek to cultivate the spiritual growth to counter such 鈥渕oral injury,鈥 Miller said. 鈥淵ou are the embodiment of spiritual life. When you speak from your core, you are giving others permission to do so as well.鈥

PROBING ANTI-SEMITISM鈥橲 RISE

麻豆原创鈥檚 December symposium 鈥Anti-Semitism Today: Why are Hate Crimes on the Rise in the U.S.?鈥 probed the 57 percent increase in acts of discrimination and outright hatred toward Jews during Donald Trump鈥檚 first year as President. Unless the United States tackles racism and anti-Semitism on social media, said American Jewish Committee CEO , 鈥渨e are sitting ducks.鈥 And , Director of Manhattan College鈥檚 Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center, who is Muslim, said universities must 鈥渃reate an inclusive environment鈥 to discuss groups鈥 experiences. 麻豆原创 staff member organized the event.

 

A Better World Through a Stronger 麻豆原创
The College inaugurates a new president, and a new chapter begins

Bailey Inauguration photo

CAREER PATHING Inaugurated as 麻豆原创鈥檚 11th President, Thomas Bailey called on the College to create pathways to success for all. (Photograph: Don Pollard)

Thomas Bailey was inaugurated as Teachers College鈥檚 11th president on December 7, 2018. The ceremony, in Riverside Church, capped a week of festivities that included a faculty symposium, student musical performances and a spaghetti dinner hosted by Bailey and his wife, Carmenza. In remarks to faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends, Bailey said that 鈥渂y building a stronger and more effective Teachers College, we will strengthen our ability to help build a stronger and more equitable society 鈥 and by truly marshaling our resources to achieve our broader social goals, we will become a stronger and more effective and sustainable institution.鈥

Reading from a poem she wrote, faculty member Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz declared: 鈥淜now that we support you, Mr. President, in your vision. We lift the pen to co-write the story you seek to tell.鈥

Read more at tc.edu/inauguration