First KU School of Education & Human Sciences dean candidate to present March 5

March 3, 2026 - 22:49

Lisa Wolf-Wendel, a distinguished professor within the university's own Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, has stepped forward as the inaugural candidate in the search for the next dean of the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences.

Wolf-Wendel, who holds the title of Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Higher Education, will present her public forum on March 5. This event offers faculty, staff, students, and the broader community a critical opportunity to engage with her proposed leadership direction. During her presentation, she is expected to detail her strategic vision and outline key priorities for advancing the school's mission.

The dean search committee selected Wolf-Wendel as the first of several finalists who will visit the Lawrence campus in the coming weeks. The process is designed to be thorough and inclusive, gathering feedback from all campus constituencies after each candidate's visit. The new dean will succeed Rick Ginsberg, who announced his planned retirement last year after leading the school for nearly a decade. The appointment comes at a significant time for the school as it aims to build upon its national reputation in research, teaching, and community engagement in the fields of education and human sciences.