SIU selects new College of Education dean

November 14, 2024

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Victoria Groves-Scott, dean of the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), has been chosen as the dean of the School of Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She will begin her duties at SIU on March 15, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

She has been at UCA in Conway for nine years, overseeing more than 60 faculty members, along with department chairs and more than 25 staff members with a budget of more than $6 million. During her time there, she has led a number of innovative and transformational teacher education initiatives that earned numerous national accolades. The awards include the Apple Distinguished School designation in 2018, 2021 and 2024 and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education's Best Practices Award in 2019 in recognition of groundbreaking use of technology for its iPad mobile initiative. In addition, with Groves-Scott at the helm, UCA received the 2021 Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Frank Murray Award for Continuous Improvement.

"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Vicki Groves-Scott to the Saluki family as the new dean of the School of Education," said Sheryl Tucker, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. "Dr. Groves-Scott's near decade of experience as a dean and work in a provost's office provides her with the background and experience to hit the ground running. I thank the search committee, chaired by Dean Joddy Murray, and the campus and local communities for their active participation in the search process. Everyone's time and effort ensured we were able to recruit an outstanding individual who will move the school forward."

Building on tradition, pursuing new opportunities

Groves-Scott said she's looking forward to working with Tucker's leadership team and the "exceptional faculty as we imagine new possibilities for the School of Education. With a strong commitment to supporting faculty and prioritizing student success, I am excited to build on our tradition of excellence."

She said she "was drawn to the position by its focus on equity and inclusion and the ability to make a difference in the region and state. SIU's dynamic momentum and the School of Education's potential for growth and innovation are truly inspiring. I aim to strengthen collaboration with the P-12 community and pursue new opportunities to further a shared vision."

Extensive administrative and teaching experience

Groves-Scott brings more than three decades of higher education experience to SIU, combined with substantial experience as an administrator and teacher. Prior to serving as UCA dean, she was at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she held a variety of key positions, including assistant dean for the School of Education, assistant provost, director of university assessment, department chair and professor.

Her experience also includes serving as chair of the department of education at the Associated Colleges of Central Kansas and as a special education teacher for Meadowbrook Elementary in the North Kansas City School District.

Groves-Scott earned her doctorate in special education from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She also holds a master's degree in special education: learning disabilities from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in special education from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.

She was named an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2017 and has won numerous other individual honors. She is the author of three textbooks as well as numerous articles, and her research interests, which have garnered millions of dollars in grant funding, include assistive technology, assessment, teaching instruction and phonemic awareness, which is the ability to recognize and work with individual sounds.

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