Hodges named interim dean of UofSC College of Education
Posted on: April 29, 2021; Updated on: April 29, 2021
By Abe Danaher, adanaher@mailbox.sc.edu, 8035767780
Thomas E. Hodges has been named interim dean of the University of South Carolina College of Education; he begins on July 1. Hodges succeeds Jon Pedersen, who served as dean of the college since 2016 and recently accepted a deanship at Oklahoma State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences.
“The College of Education has outstanding faculty and staff with innovative academic programming, robust research and rich engagements with communities and education stakeholders,” says Hodges, who currently serves as the college’s executive associate dean for faculty and academic affairs. “I think it’s an exciting time to lead this college.”
As interim dean, Hodges will work with the College of Education’s faculty to develop a new mission and vision statement. He also hopes to support and promote faculty research efforts; continue to adapt the college’s curriculum and approaches to meet the changing needs of students; and work to support the educational needs of South Carolina communities.
“We will continue to enhance our support for research, particularly around extramural funding,” he says. “We have ongoing reviews of all of our curricular offerings to ensure that we provide timely and needed courses, programs and modalities that best meet the needs of content and students. And we will also move forward with innovative projects and partnerships that serve educators, children and communities throughout South Carolina.”
We are fortunate to have a committed educator and leader with a passion for excellence prepared to serve as interim dean.
William F. Tate, UofSC Provost
Hodges began at the UofSC College of Education in 2012 as an assistant professor of mathematics education, before becoming an associate professor in 2015 and a professor in 2020. His research focuses on mathematics, and teachers’ conceptions and identities as they transition from teacher education programs into their first years of teaching. In July 2017, Hodges became the associate dean for academic affairs at the college, and in July 2020, he was named executive associate dean for faculty and academic affairs while also maintaining his role as the director of the South Carolina Teacher Education Advancement Consortium. Prior to his appointment as executive associate dean, Hodges also served as the interim department chair of instruction and teacher education and the coordinator of elementary education programs.
“I thank Dean Pedersen for his leadership at the university and in the state of South Carolina,” says William F. Tate, the University of South Carolina’s provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. “Professor Hodges will continue the important efforts of the College of Education in the region and state. We are fortunate to have a committed educator and leader with a passion for excellence prepared to serve as interim dean.”
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