Get to Know the New Deans at Rutgers

Past Experience: Professor in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; former associate dean in the College of Education at Illinois

Area of Research: Span's research focuses on the educational history of African Americans, particularly during the 19th century. He is widely recognized as a leading authority in this field. He has authored several influential works including From Cotton Field to Schoolhouse: African American Education in Mississippi, 1862-1875. Additionally, Span is a co-editor of Using Past as Prologue: Contemporary Perspectives on African American Educational History and has contributed numerous articles and book chapters on the subject.

Why Rutgers: "I joined Rutgers because of its deep commitment as a land grant university to achieving excellence at scale for the public good. As the new Dean of the Graduate School of Education (GSE), my vision is to uphold and advance this legacy. The GSE's inquiry, innovation, and impact over the past century have transformed our understanding of learning, teaching, knowledge production, equity, and social justice. Our work enhances lives and communities, equips educators and learners to address global challenges, and shapes the future through teaching, research, and community engagement.

Here, the belief in the transformative power of education is evident. We work tirelessly to ensure that everyone, regardless of circumstance, has the right to learn and reach their highest potential. This is the profound impact of the GSE, and I consider it the greatest honor to serve as Dean during this pivotal moment in history."