Â鶹´«Ã½ has named Tammi Dice dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, effective June 10, following an extensive national search. She has served as the interim dean of the college for two years following the retirement of Jane Bray in 2020.
"Dr. Dice has championed innovation and excellence in her role as interim dean. She has consistently shown her commitment to student success and diversity and inclusion," said Austin O. Agho, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "She is an inspiring educator, researcher and leader, and I look forward to our continued collaborations in her leadership of the college."
Under her leadership as interim dean, Dice has guided the college not only through a global pandemic, but also the expansion of numerous articulation agreements, certificates and online programs across the college, and supported the successful accreditation processes for three programs. In addition, she spearheaded the college's recruitment, marketing and fundraising efforts successfully, which resulted in increased enrollment in many programs and new endowed scholarships and annual gifts.
Trained as a counselor educator, Dice joined the faculty of Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2005 and since has obtained tenure and promotion to full professor. She has also held several administrative positions during her time at the University. She served as the undergraduate program director of the human services program and as assistant chair for the Counseling and Human Services Department. As associate dean for undergraduate education, she led the development of the Undergraduate Program Directors policy for the University and directed the addition of four B.S. in Education programs, authoring the related State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and Virginia Department of Education proposals.
"I'm honored to have the continued opportunity to lead a group of faculty and staff who are so dedicated to our mission of shaping the next generation of educators, human services workers and experts in professional studies," Dice said. "Our students profoundly impact their communities, and we are proud to play a role in their development."
Dice is well-known for her demonstrated commitments to shared governance; supporting students, faculty and staff; and advocating for equity and inclusion. She created the college's Student Services Center, a centralized location for students to receive academic assistance, and she enhanced opportunities for student engagement and outreach. For faculty, Dice developed a comprehensive mentoring program in the college, supported the development of three research and practice center and guided the creation of a college grant for junior faculty. She also helped shape a college diversity statement and launched "Critical Conversations in Education," a presentation and workshop series addressing diversity, equity and inclusion.
"Dr. Dice has been a passionate advocate for ensuring our Monarchs demonstrate excellence as teachers in the classroom, as counselors in clinical and community settings and as professionals in their chosen fields," said Â鶹´«Ã½ President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. "Under her leadership, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies will continue to excel and be recognized nationally for its impactful and innovative programs."
An active scholar, Dice has published extensively on topics related to youth development and effective human services professional training. She has served as PI and Co-PI on numerous contracts and federally funded grants, many of which have resulted in programming designed to serve underrepresented and marginalized children in the local community. She has also given more than 100 international, national, regional, state and community presentations.
Dice has held numerous editorial positions, including serving as co-editor of the flagship journal for her field, the "Journal of Human Services," and has been an active member of her field professionally, having served as president of the National Organization of Human Services. Her efforts were recognized with the Miriam Clubok Award for outstanding service to the organization, and most recently, the Lenore McNeer Award for distinctive contributions to the field of human services.
Dice earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the College of William & Mary, and an M.S.Ed. in counseling and a B.S. in psychology from Â鶹´«Ã½.
