Search for New Dean

Nicholas Ladany to Work in San Diego

Krista ClawsonTHE SANTA CLARAApril 23, 2015

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]icholas Ladany will be stepping down from his position as dean of the School of Education and Counseling Psychology at the end of this academic year. Carol Ann Gittens, an associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been appointed as interim dean during the search for his replacement.

Ladeny has accepted a position as dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego.

“(Santa Clara) has been a great place with many accomplishments,” he said. “The opportunity at USD came up and I am able to live closer to family in Southern California.”

During his tenure as dean, Ladany facilitated the move of the school to a new building; increased its enrollment by 75 percent; increased the diversity of its students, staff and faculty; and helped develop university-community partnerships.

He also spearheaded the development of the school’s East San Jose campus, where 100 students each year are taught how to instruct marginalized populations.

Ladney established the Excellence in Catholic Education and Leadership program that will launch this summer, which will “prepare outstanding Catholic school teachers and place them in Diocese of San Jose classrooms, ” according to Arcadio Morales, director of external relations for the School of Education and Counseling Psychology.

Although the position is temporary, Gittens, who also serves as an associate professor in the Liberal Studies program has high hopes for her role in the school during her time as interim dean.

“My focus in the coming year will be on affording stability and maintaining a high level of excellence during this transition in leadership,” she said. “I am committed to providing leadership and support as the school endeavors to accomplish its strategic priorities and goals.”

A national search for the new dean will be conducted next year, according to Dennis Jacobs, provost and vice president for academic affairs. Jacobs hopes that a new dean will be selected by early 2016 and begin July 1 of next year.

Contact Krista Clawson at kclawson@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.