While Dean Joyce Alexander is new to The University of Alabama and the College of Education, the role of dean is one she is well acquainted with.

Prior to coming to the University, Dr. Alexander was dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University from 2015-2021, a position that brought new administrative knowledge and leadership experience.

“Having served as dean before, there are some aspects that are very similar to my previous position,” she said, “but UA is also unique. There are some things I have had to work into my way of thinking about this job, so it has been a growth experience for me, too.”

Alexander came to the College from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in Washington, D.C., where she was awarded the 2022-2023 Dean-in-Residence Education Research Policy Fellowship. There, she worked with AERA leadership on education research programming and policy issues, led the Consortium of University and Research Institutions and learned a great deal about funding agencies and the congressional bill process as it relates to advocacy organizations. Though she enjoyed the work, she said the slow pace of visible impact didn’t seem to be the best fit.

“I realized I like having the opportunity as dean to see the fruits of our work on a timelier scale,” Alexander said. “Now, I can get back to seeing the faculty do amazing work and the staff shepherd our students along. I get to see those students graduate and make an impact beyond our campus, and I get to see the impact of our mentoring and our research.”

Since her tenure began on Jan. 3, she already has plans in motion and is eager to work closely with COE faculty, staff, and students.

“One of my most favorite things (about being dean) is watching students graduate,” Alexander said. “I love to shake their hands and give them their diploma as they cross the stage then see them go out and impact beyond our campus. It is a big moment for them and their families, and for us, it means we were able to mentor these students.”

In May, the College will hold its first faculty and staff retreat where Alexander will discuss four commitments she has in mind for the College’s future: providing transformational learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, publicizing the excellent work and research of the College, impacting the community, and considering the quality of life for all faculty, staff, and students.

“I would like for us to come out of that (retreat) with a collective vision of where we see ourselves going,” she said. “For instance, how will we take each of the commitments and make them ours? Where do we want to be in 10 years, and what will the College be known for then? How will we know if we have accomplished our goals?”

Alexander is excited to engaging more with the community and take advantage of all Tuscaloosa has to offer.

“As I have gotten to know many of the faculty research programs and the teams we have here, there is a lot of community outreach and a commitment to make an impact, and that is something I hold dear myself,” Alexander said. “It has been exciting to see that the College is so steeped in that way of thinking – it just affirms to me that this is a good match.”