John Taylor College of Education dean

Current dean stepping down after holding the position for 11 years

A search committee at the College of Education has narrowed its search down to three candidates to replace retiring dean John L. Taylor.

All the candidates to replace Taylor, who is preparing to step down in June after holding the position for 11 years, are from outside institutions.

Joaquin Ruiz, dean of the College of Science, and 15 other University of Arizona faculty, as well as Tucson community members were appointed by Provost George Davis to find a replacement for Taylor.

Ruiz said the search for the right person for the job was especially crucial with the current state of Arizona's secondary school system.

"The state is in a crisis for K-12 education," Ruiz said. "We're looking for someone who can take on the social challenges that the state faces."

Ruiz said successfully conquering obstacles like the state-mandated budget cuts are crucial as well.

The College of Education has about 1,600 graduates and undergraduates and 110 full-time and adjunct faculty.

Ruiz said that although the search is currently running very smoothly, the first visit that candidates make to the campus could raise a few problems.

"These people will visit the campus and get a sense of some of the realities that they're facing," he said.

The candidates will hold on-campus forums throughout the month to answer questions from students, faculty and the public. The forums will be held in the Education building's Kiva Auditorium

The forums will be split into three parts - one for staff, one for students and one for all others.

Linda Parrish, a professor of education at Texas A&M University, will hold her forum from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Catherine Emihovich, dean of the College of Education at California State University in Sacramento, will hold her forum on April 15 from 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Walter Gmelch, dean of the College of Education at Iowa State University, will hold his forum from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 17.

Taylor said he is stepping down because his time as dean is up.

"It's been great being dean for 11 years, but now it's time to step down," Taylor said.

Ginny Geib, communications director for the College of Education, said Taylor wants to resume his duties as a professor. She said he would work in the educational leadership program.

Geib said Taylor's 11-year-run as dean was unorthodox because most deans only stay in the job for three to four years.