Kay A. Persichitte
Kay A. Persichitte, director of teacher education at the University of Wyoming since 2003, has accepted appointment as dean of the school's College of Education. Her appointment is subject to approval by the UW trustees.
Persichitte succeeds Patricia McClurg, who retired at the end of the school year. McClurg served as the college's dean since 2001.
"I am very fortunate to become dean of a college that has such a great history of strong preparation programs for teachers and other professionals," Persichitte says. "We have such a great foundation upon which to advance the significant achievements of the College of Education, including the continuing support of the Wyoming Legislature and the UW community, collaborations with the Wyoming Department of Education and the Professional Teaching Standards Board and solid relationships with our community colleges and public schools. The quality of our faculty and our institutional collaborations are also clear strengths."
She adds, "These are exciting and challenging times for education, and I look forward to the challenge."
Persichitte was chosen from among a fine pool of candidates, says Myron Allen, UW's vice president for academic affairs.
Since coming to UW from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, where she served as chair and professor in the Department of Educational Technology for nine years, Persichitte has guided the university's teacher education program. Her responsibilities have included administration and review of programs, accreditation, budgeting, personnel and policy.
"Dr. Persichitte won exceptionally strong support from the search committee and from people who participated in the interviews," Allen says. "Because of her outstanding academic credentials, her commitment to principled leadership and her strength of character, she was my first choice."
Says Persichitte, "I believe there is a bright future for the College Education, our students and our partnerships across the vast scope of our responsibility."
Persichitte earned a bachelor's degree (1975) in mathematics and a Ph.D. (1993) in educational technology from UNC. She also has an M.Ed. (1985) in curriculum and instruction from Colorado State University.
