The College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin is pleased to announce updates regarding the college’s leadership and welcome several new key staff members. We pride ourselves on cultivating opportunities for faculty and staff as they grow their careers.
Dr. Allison Skerrett, Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, has been appointed to a four-year term as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Dr. Skerrett was selected following an open review of nominations. In this role, Dr. Skerrett will provide college-level leadership, management and oversight of academic affairs in the college. She will be a leader in the areas of curricular innovation, academic program design, assessment and accreditation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Skerrett will also oversee various college-wide offices/units that provide support to our academic enterprise, including the Office of Instructional Innovation and Education Services.
Dr. Beth Maloch has been appointed for two additional years as Senior Associate Dean. Dr. Maloch will continue to provide leadership in the areas of promotion and tenure, faculty hiring and development, facilities and administration. As Senior Associate Dean, she will, when called upon, make decisions on my behalf across various leadership portfolios in the Office of the Dean.
Dr. Nathan Clemens has been appointed to a two-year term as Chair of the Department of Special Education. Dr. Clemens, a Full Professor, has been on the faculty in Special Education since 2016. He was selected following an open review of nominations.
Dr. Jan Todd has been appointed to a two-year term as Chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. She has served for the past two years as Interim Chair. Dr. Todd is a Full Professor and has been on the faculty in the department since 1984. She is also the Director and Co-Founder of the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center, home to the largest archive in the world devoted to the study of physical culture, sport and resistance training.
Claire Bush has been promoted to Senior Assistant to the Dean. In this role, she will continue to oversee matters related to the Dean’s Office, including the dean’s communications and serving as a liaison between the Dean’s Office and the COE community. She will provide leadership on and coordination of the dean’s projects and internal strategic priorities. Ms. Bush has been with the College of Education for nearly 10 years, and most recently served as Executive Assistant to the Dean.
Bianca Bellavia is our new Senior Director of Communications & Marketing. Ms. Bellavia brings nearly seven years of experience working in communications at UT Austin, first as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications in the University Development Office and then as Assistant Vice President for University Marketing. Previously, she led communications at The Seton Foundations, as well as communications, outreach, marketing and brand management at the Lance Armstrong Foundation/Livestrong.
Dr. Katie Tackett is the new Director of Education Services. Dr. Tackett is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Special Education. In her role as Director of Education Services, Dr. Tackett will oversee the Field Experiences and Certification offices, as well as be the lead liaison with the University, school districts and education entities that work with the college’s preservice teachers.
Patrick Patterson is our new Director of K-12 Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement. Mr. Patterson joins the College of Education after more than 12 years of serving as the University’s Assistant Vice President for Pre-college Programs within the Division of Campus and Community Engagement. During this time, he oversaw several K-12 programs that support mentorship and outreach services for schools across the state. In his new COE role, he will collaborate with faculty and staff on school district and community partnerships, as well as support our K-12 campuses.
Dr. Melissa Chavez is our new Interim Superintendent of UT High School Special Purpose District. Dr. Chavez is also currently the Executive Director of the UT Charter School System, where she oversees the UT-University Charter School and UT Elementary School Districts. She has led K-12 schools across Texas for UT Austin for over 20 years and previously served as a teacher and district administrator for Austin ISD.
The college is grateful to everyone for their commitment and dedication to our mission.
