May 19, 2008 (Vol. 7, No. 9)

Dr. Deborah B. Eldridge Named New Dean of Education

Dr. Deborah B. Eldridge

Dr. Deborah B. Eldridge of Montclair State University (N.J.) has been named Dean of Education at Lehman College. Her appointment, beginning August 18, 2008, was approved on April 28, 2008 by the CUNY Board of Trustees.

Dr. Eldridge is currently chairperson of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Montclair State and previously served as chairperson of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Hunter College. She is also a former Assistant Dean of Education and NCATE coordinator at Hunter. NCATE (National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education) is the national accrediting agency for teacher education programs.

Dr. Eldridge holds a bachelor's degree in human development from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an M.A. in foreign language education from the University of Texas at Austin, and an Ed.D. in language, literacy, and cultural studies from Boston University.

"Dr. Eldridge brings to Lehman more than 30 years of experience in education, ranging from classroom teaching to higher-education administration," said Lehman President Ricardo R. Fernández, in announcing the appointment. "We are confident that her commitment to excellence will build on the strength of Lehman's Education Division."

The division includes three departments—Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Middle/High School Education, and Counseling, Leadership, Literacy, and Special Education—along with a number of specialized programs and institutes that concentrate on particular aspects of B-16 education. The programs are based on the LUTE (Lehman Urban Teacher and Counselor Education) philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of creating an environment that nourishes respect, growth, and learning for both teachers and students.

In 2002, the division became the first within CUNY to receive NCATE accreditation, which was renewed in 2007.

Dr. Eldridge succeeds Dr. Annette Digby, who served as Dean from 2003-2007 and is now Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost at Lincoln University of Missouri. Dr. Susan Polirstok, Associate Dean of Education, served as Acting Dean during this academic year, while a search for candidates was conducted.

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