Virginia Roach, Ed.D., will be stepping down as dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University on June 30, 2020, to become the next executive director of the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University. The provost has appointed Akane Zusho, Ph.D., professor of educational psychology and associate dean of the Graduate School of Education, to serve as interim dean of the Graduate School of Education beginning July 1, 2020.
“I am so proud to have been a member of Fordham University for the past five years and of all that we in the Graduate School of Education have been able to accomplish,” said Roach. “While I am moving on to a new challenge, my fondest thoughts will always be with Fordham and the wonderful faculty, staff, and students who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place.”
During her tenure, Dean Roach has helped the school grow in national standing and reputation. She helped launch all eight of the graduate school’s fully online degree programs. Roach also worked with faculty to rebuild the Hagin Assessment Center, which offers consultation and assessment services to support academic achievement for students. Her catalytic efforts to support faculty grant writing has led the Graduate School of Education to triple its sponsored research funding in just the past four years. In each of the last two years, U.S. News has ranked Fordham 39th among the nation’s top graduate schools of education nationwide, its highest ranking to date.
“Dean Roach is an extraordinary leader in every way,” said Dennis Jacobs, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Fordham University. “In addition to strengthening the School’s degree programs and scholarly endeavors, she has worked tirelessly to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and advance Fordham’s Jesuit mission. From creating pipelines for first-generation students exploring college, to recruiting increasingly diverse full-time faculty and students, Dean Roach has left an indelible mark on Fordham’s Graduate School of Education.”
Dr. Zusho previously served as the chair of the Division of Psychological and Educational Services and is an award-winning scholar at the intersection of culture, achievement motivation, and self-regulated learning. Fordham University will commence a national search this fall for the next dean of the Graduate School of Education.
