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  Mary Gresham

By CHARLES ANZALONE

Published: May 17, 2012

Mary H. Gresham, dean of the Graduate School of Education (GSE) for the past 11 years, has announced she will step down as dean to take on a new role at UB facilitating educational engagement within the broader community.

Gresham will become vice provost for educational collaboration and engagement, effective July 1.

Bruce McCombe, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, has appointed Jaekyung Lee, professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the Graduate School of Education, to serve as interim dean while the school conducts a national search for a new dean.

McCombe cited Gresham’s many accomplishments as dean, including creation of the Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence, which in one year has made significant advances toward becoming a national “go-to” place for the latest research and advice on bullying; expanding the role of faculty leadership within the school through the creation of multiple associate dean positions responsible for research, faculty development, curriculum and global initiatives; expanding relationships in the professional and local communities; facilitating the move of the Department of Library and Information Science into the GSE; and increasing international opportunities for the GSE, including creating a master’s degree in school counseling in Singapore and a partnership with Capital Normal University in Beijing that will lead to a new certification program in GSE for teaching Chinese language.

McCombe also praised Gresham for doubling GSE research expenditures in the past six years, despite declining funding sources, as well as her involvement in such peer groups as the Association of American Universities, SUNY and community and educational associations devoted to improving education for children.

“Mary is also recognized as a devoted leader and advocate for preK-16 education,” he added.

Reflecting on her years as dean, Gresham said her proudest accomplishment, in addition to substantially increasing philanthropy within the school, has been helping others use education as a way to empower themselves and help them reach their potential.

“Being dean at the Graduate School of Education has allowed me to realize that aspiration and have even greater impact,” she said.

She said it has been “a pleasure and privilege” to work with faculty members who are devoted to making a difference in public education.

“The faculty here are active researchers who have developed mutually respectful working relationships with the community,” she said. “They’re dedicated and committed to research that makes a difference and improves the lives of teachers, students and communities.”

In her new position as vice provost for educational collaboration and engagement, Gresham will oversee an expanding set of responsibilities focused on educational engagement programs.

The term “engagement” in the field of higher education refers to the interaction and exchange that takes place between a university and its community, which may be on a local, national or global scale.

“I am looking forward to building upon my experience in my new role to enhance the dialogue between the university and our community,” Gresham said.