SUBJECT:

New Department of Education Studies in the Division of Social Sciences

I am delighted to announce the formation of a new Department of Education Studies (EDS) within the Division of Social Sciences, and the appointment of Professor Amanda Datnow as inaugural Departmental Chair, effective September 1, 2011. The elevation of EDS to departmental status after its nearly forty-year history as a campus academic program follows consultation with the Academic Senate and is strongly supported by Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and me. It should be noted that EDS has a core group of faculty already associated with it and has been functioning much like a department for some time, therefore the resource implications of transitioning to departmental status are quite different from those involved with creation of a brand new department.

The new department’s primary focus over the next five years will be to work toward the goal of becoming a preeminent center for the linking of theory, research, and practice in education by continuing or increasing the robust enrollment in its programs, strategically evaluating whether the department is positioned to launch new programs, and by attracting increased external funding to deepen research activities. These concrete actions will strengthen the department’s mission to offer academic programs that prepare educational leaders and teachers to improve public education in our state and nation.

I am confident that the campus can look forward to a vibrant future for this new department. Please join Chancellor Fox and me in extending best wishes to Chair Datnow and the EDS faculty, students and staff.

Suresh Subramani Executive Vice Chancellor