Joanna Masingila has been selected as dean of Syracuse University’s School of Education, Elizabeth Liddy, interim vice chancellor and provost, announced Tuesday.

Masingila, a professor of mathematics and mathematics education at SU since 1992, has served as the school’s interim dean since February 2014. She was also previously the chair of the School of Education’s Teaching and Leadership Programs, which is the school’s largest department, according to an SU News release.

Liddy recommended Masingila to SU’s Board of Trustees and she “fully (expects) they will concur with this selection.”

“Joanna has been a forward-thinking, highly collaborative leader at a time when the field of education and the needs of students at all levels, from K through 12 and beyond, continue to evolve and expand at an incredibly rapid pace,” Liddy said in the release.

As interim dean, Masingila focused on maximizing existing resources, initiated a forum for staff participation and appreciation and developed strategies to be more efficient in areas including fundraising, admissions and marketing, according to the release. As a result, she made it possible to provide extra grant writing support to all faculty in the school.

Cathy Engstrom, an associate professor in the School of Education and chair of the School of Education dean search committee, said in the release that Masingila garnered support from faculty, staff, students and alumni, among others.

“Joanna Masingila is an award-winning, collaborative teacher and researcher who has led the school through a time of university-wide transition and extraordinary challenges in the field of education,” Chancellor Kent Syverud said in the release.

“She is the right person to lead the School of Education forward at this critical time in our university’s history,” he said.

Published on March 17, 2015 at 12:11 pm

Contact Sara: smswann@syr.edu | @saramswann