Ann Taylor will begin as UMSL’s new education dean Jan. 1 after having served as interim dean for the college since August 2016. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The College of Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis expects a seamless transition of leadership with Ann Taylor stepping in as its new dean.

Taylor will assume the role Jan. 1 after having served as the college’s interim dean since August 2016.

After conducting a nationwide search, the committee tasked with finding the new dean felt confident in Taylor to drive the College of Education forward.

“Ann has provided excellent leadership of the college as interim dean,” Provost Kristin Sobolik said, “and her collaborative vision is what is needed for UMSL to fulfill our student-centered, community-engaged mission. I look forward to working with Ann as an integral part of our leadership team.”

During Taylor’s time as interim, she helped launch the Teach in 12 program that turns industry professionals into teachers. She also furthered the expansion of teacher prep programs to require volunteer experience at community agencies and a year of teaching experience in one of the 30 Studio Schools with which UMSL has partnered.

“We hold a unique space in the regional landscape as part of the largest public research institution in the area,” Taylor said. “With quality research, programmatic excellence and the community partnerships, the College of Education propels the next generation of teachers, counselors, psychologists and educational leaders to successful careers. This collective, transformative work translates to a stronger region and more equitable educational outcomes.”

Taylor came to UMSL in 2013 as an associate dean in the college. She cites a special interest in mathematics education, classroom instruction and pedagogy among her many research pursuits.

With more than 20 years in the education field, she has hundreds of scholarly qualifications including more than 50 publications, numerous presentations, multiple grant awards, countless professional development workshops and years of service and leadership on campus committees and within the College of Education.

Prior to her time at UMSL, Taylor taught at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and was director of the undergraduate elementary education program for more than 10 years. She had previously been a faculty member at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Taylor first started as a geography instructor to students in grades six through 12 and at the community college before transitioning to teacher education in the United States.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from Nottingham University, a master’s in education from the University of Sheffield, a post-graduate certificate in education from West Midlands College of Higher Education and a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch