College of Education Announces Acting Dean

Today
Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a black blazer over a patterned blouse, sitting in front of a blue sign that reads '1430 College of Education' with the University of Arizona logo. The background features a brick building, leafless trees, and parked motorcycles.

The University of Arizona College of Education is proud to announce that Dr. Regina Deil-Amen has been appointed Acting Dean beginning March 3rd and will become Interim Dean on April 1. Dr. Deil-Amen has been a vital part of the College since 2007, serving as Director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education and Department Head of Educational Policy Studies and Practice from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, she became Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, where she champions faculty development and supports impactful research and scholarship that drive meaningful change in classrooms and communities.

As Interim Dean, Dr. Deil-Amen is deeply committed to advancing the College’s mission to prepare educators, leaders, and policymakers who will transform educational practices locally and globally. She is excited to promote the College’s role in fulfilling the University’s land-grant mission, supporting teachers, administrators, and community leaders, and fostering educational improvement through research and practice that uplifts the strengths of all students and their families.

A nationally recognized scholar, Dr. Deil-Amen’s research focuses on college access, student transitions to four-year colleges/universities, and the most effective practices to engage students in ways that lead to improved success outcomes. Notably, she was the main Principal Investigator the Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge Project, a $4.8 million NSF-funded initiative supporting Pima Community College students transferring to UA for STEM degrees—an effort that achieved a 91% success rate. She has published extensively in top academic journals and co-authored the book After Admission: From College Access to College Success.

The College of Education is excited to welcome Dr. Deil-Amen into this role as she brings her passion, leadership, and vision to support students, educators, and communities in Arizona and beyond.