Tom Stritikus Tapped to Head College of Education

Dean Stritikus

Dr. Tom Stritikus has been named the next dean of the UW College of Education. Currently associate dean of academic programs and associate professor in Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, Stritikus will serve a five-year deanship that began on Sept. 16, 2010.

In announcing the appointment, Interim UW President Phyllis Wise said, "Dr. Stritikus has distinct abilities that uniquely place him to meet the College's near-term challenges and to lead long-term strategic planning. The College needs both a high caliber academic scholar and a skilled relationship builder for the deanship. I am convinced that Dr. Stritikus is the best choice to advance the College of Education." Read more of her message.

Stritikus earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley in Language, Literacy, and Culture and has been a faculty member at the University of Washington since 2000. His work focuses on the context and process of adjustment for immigrant students and the educational opportunities—from a policy and practice perspective—that schools and districts make available to them. Stritikus received competitive extramural funding for his research from state and federal sources, and has published his work in the top journals in the field of education, including American Educational Research Journal, Teachers College Record and Education Policy.

"I can’t think of a better institution of education to lead," Stritikus attests, "because the UW College of Education faculty are dedicated to improving the lives of P-20 students through real-world solutions. The relationship between our programs and our innovative professional programs is our greatest contribution to the UW and to the nation. I’m happy and honored to be a part of this important work and look forward to serving as dean of the College of Education."

In his career thus far, Stritikus has worked closely with faculty, staff, students, alums, and stakeholders to advance the mission of the College. His peers and collaborators have lauded his leadership in education.

As Arthur Levine, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and former president and professor of education at Teachers College, Columbia University, says, "The appointment of Tom is a bold and exciting step by the University of Washington, an institution which is critically important to the Woodrow Wilson foundation. We believe that the UW is a leader in teacher education in the United States and Tom’s appointment stands out because of his age, vision, and the fact that he is the first Teach for America volunteer to become a dean of education at an American university. In a time of dramatic demographic, economic, technological, and global change, he is one of those rare individuals who understand the future of American education, the challenges facing our education schools, and also has the capacity move the UW forward into the future as a leader."

Stritikus was an elementary school teacher in Baltimore for two years, an English instructor in Mexico for a year, and taught in middle school in the San Francisco area for a summer. He is the first Teach for America alum to become a dean at a U.S. university.

"Tom’s appointment represents a major milestone for Teach For America, marking the first time one of our alumni has been appointed to lead a college of education," said Wendy Kopp, CEO and founder of Teach For America. "We're excited to see him build on the UW's innovative approach to teacher education. As we continue to partner with colleges and universities to advance teacher training and recruiting efforts, we look forward to deepening our relationship with Tom and the UW so that we can increase our collective impact in addressing the disparities in our nation’s education system."

Stritikus will take up the mantle of Dean Patricia Wasley, who was the College dean for a decade. She will resume a full-time faculty role at the College and is on leave for the 2010-11 academic year.