Education and Human Ecology Leadership

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share the news that Donald B. Pope-Davis, PhD, has accepted my offer to serve as dean of the College of Education and Human Ecology. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, his appointment is effective July 15, 2018.

Dr. Pope-Davis is currently dean of the College of Education, New Mexico State University, also a land-grant institution.

He has taught students at all levels, and his scholarship focuses on psychology and multicultural education. The Journal of Counseling Psychology ranked him third in the country for his research in this specialization. Co-author of four books, his work is widely published in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Pope-Davis’s national journal activities have included editor, Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development and editorial board of The Counseling Psychologist. In addition, his current national professional service includes The College Board, Advisory Council member; Deans for Social Justice & Equity Steering Committee; and American Psychological Association Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs.

Among his honors, he is an elected fellow of the American Psychological Association's Society for Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues and a fellow of the Society of Counseling Psychology. In addition, he received the NAACP of New Mexico's Distinguished Keynote Award, Benedictine University's Leadership Innovation Philanthropy Award, and the University of Notre Dame's Hesburgh Diversity Lecture Award.

Prior to joining New Mexico State University, Dr. Pope-Davis served in senior-level positions at the University of Notre Dame and DePaul University. He has also been a faculty member at the University of Iowa and the University of Maryland.

He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and theology from Benedictine University, a master's degree in counseling psychology from Indiana University, and a doctorate in counseling psychology from Stanford University.

As you know, Dean Cheryl Achterberg advised me last August that she had decided to step down as dean of the college upon the completion of her second term and return to the faculty in June 2018. Please join me in thanking Cheryl for her leadership of and countless contributions to the college, the university and beyond during her tenure as dean.

Many thanks to Dean Tom Gregoire for serving as chair of the search advisory committee and to all other search advisory committee members and their commitment to this important search.

Please join me in welcoming Dean Pope-Davis to our community. I look forward to working with him.

Sincerely,

Bruce A. McPheron, PhD
Executive Vice President and Provost