Following a national search, Shirley Lefever-Davis has been named dean of the College of Education at Wichita State University effective Oct. 12, according to Tony Vizzini, provost and senior vice president.

Lefever-Davis has served as interim dean for the college since June 9, 2013. She succeeded Sharon Iorio who began a phased retirement for two years.

In naming Lefever-Davis as dean of the College of Education, Vizzini said: “I appreciated her leadership as the interim dean. She brings passion, wisdom and innovation to the college and the university, and I expect the college to excel under her leadership.”

Prior to being named interim dean in 2013, Lefever-Davis was senior associate dean and professor in the College of Education, with responsibility for assessment and accreditation.

“I am thrilled to be named dean of the College of Education,” said Lefever-Davis. “Our talented and innovative faculty, superb support staff and enthusiastic students make it a pleasure to serve as dean. It is energizing to be involved in the development of new academic programs, collaborations with other colleges and institutions, and the generation of new ideas. This is an exciting time to be dean of the college.”

She came to Wichita State in July 2005 to serve as department chair for curriculum and instruction. She was named associate dean for the College of Education with responsibility for undergraduate programs in 2008 and moved to the senior associate dean position in 2012.

Lefever-Davis received her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from Kansas State University in 1991. Her master’s and bachelor’s degrees also are from KSU.

She serves on the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and was recently elected president of the Association of Teacher Educators with her term as president-elect beginning in February 2015.

Lefever-Davis gained experience in higher education with 14 years at the University of Arkansas, where she was awarded the Outstanding Teaching Award for the College of Education and Health Professions in 1996.

She has presented and published on a range of topics, including Professional Development Schools, early literacy and strategies to promote the literacy development of English language learners and struggling readers.