COLUMBUS -- Donna Browder Evans, dean of the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University in Virginia, has been nominated as the new dean of The Ohio State University College of Education.

  Ohio State President William E. Kirwan and Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray today announced the nomination, which is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at its April 7 meeting. Board members have been kept informed of the progress of the search, and have reviewed the achievements and qualifications of Evans. If approved, she would assume her new position July 1.

  Kirwan said Evans personifies the qualities the search committee identified in forums with faculty, staff, students and other constituents.

  "The committee sought an accomplished academic leader who led successful initiatives to improve education and to influence educational policy and practice," Kirwan said. "Also, her commitment to working with the city and state in addressing K-12 issues through effective partnerships matches the goals of the university. Members of the search committee also wanted a strong and effective manager who can attract, energize and retain highly talented faculty, staff and students. They found that person in Dr. Evans.

  "Dr. Evans has a proven track record as a dean at Old Dominion, the University of North Florida and Wayne State. Her background makes her uniquely qualified to take Ohio State's highly ranked education college to the very top of its discipline."

  Ray said that, as a Columbus native and an alumna of Ohio State's College of Education, Evans has "a grounding in our tradition of excellence.

  "Her work in urban education meshes with the college faculty's deep commitment to making inner-city schools better," Ray said. "She is dedicated to balancing scholarship with teacher preparation, and also believes a strong research agenda is necessary for better educational policy nationwide."

  Evans, of NORFOLK, Va., earned three degrees from Ohio State: a B.S. in elementary education, a Master's of Art degree in counselor education, and a Ph.D. in counselor education and educational administration. She did post-graduate work at the University of Rochester and post-doctoral work at the Institute for Reality Therapy and Harvard University.

  She has been dean of Darden College since 1995. Previously, she was dean at North Florida in Jacksonville from 1991-95 and Wayne State University in Detroit from 1987-91. At Skidmore College from 1983-1987, she was chair of the education department. She was acting dean of the graduate school from 1980-82 at the University of Maine, Orono, where she had been a faculty member since 1973. She began her career in higher education at the University of Cincinnati in 1969.

  Evans also was a classroom teacher, guidance counselor and mathematics teacher in the Columbus Public Schools for 11 years.

  "I am extremely pleased that President Kirwan and Provost Ray are recommending me to the board," Evans said. "The College of Education is always in the top tier of graduate education programs in the nation, and has what it takes to be number one. I am eager to provide an environment in which faculty, staff and students will thrive."

  Evans has received numerous grants for studies in urban education, teacher preparation reform and professional development for teachers. She is a member of the Council of Great Cities Colleges of Education's steering committee. She has served on committees for the Holmes Partnership, a teacher preparation reform initiative, as well as the National Association of Colleges of Teacher Education's prestigious Board of Examiners.

  In Florida, she was appointed to numerous state task forces to improve educational policies.

  Approximately 3,000 graduate students and 400 undergraduates are enrolled in the Ohio State College of Education's three schools: Educational Policy and Leadership, Physical Activity and Educational Services, and Teaching and Learning. Several national centers are affiliated with the college, including the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, the new National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education, and the Center for Education and Training for Employment.

  As dean, Evans would lead 135 full-time faculty and 625 staff in the college and the centers. She would replace Interim Dean Daryl Siedentop, who will return to the faculty.

NOTE: Photo available upon request.