Kevin Roxas to serve fixed term as dean of Woodring College of Education

Kevin Roxas has been selected to serve a fixed term as the dean of Woodring College of Education.

Roxas currently serves as associate dean for student success, access and outreach for Woodring and has served as chair for Secondary Education for more than six years. He has also been a faculty member in the Secondary Education Department for the past eight years, progressing from assistant professor to full professor in that time. Prior to coming to Western in 2014, Roxas taught in the Department of Education Studies at the University of Wyoming for six years and was a teacher and upper school principal at the Marist Brothers International School in Japan for 10 years.

“Dr. Roxas’ varied administrative experience situates him well to further the legacy of strong leadership that the Woodring College of Education has enjoyed for many years. I’m excited for Dr. Roxas, for the College, and for the students who will certainly benefit by the fact that Dr. Roxas so clearly centers their needs in his work and vision,” Provost Brent Carbajal said. “I also want to take advantage here and express appreciation to Dr. Bruce Larson for his excellent service as dean during these past two years, two of the most difficult in our experience due to the pandemic.”

Roxas holds a doctorate in Teaching, Curriculum and Educational Policy from Michigan State University, with a master’s in Education from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s in Government and Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

He has been a principal investigator and co-investigator on several grants that focus on social justice, retaining faculty of color and supporting immigrant students, and his publications share a similar focus on access, diversity, equity and inclusion. His most recent research project focuses on work with immigrant students, parents, and other family members as they use photography and visual and written narratives to powerfully describe their experiences in U.S. public schools and local communities.

His awards and honors include winning the Carl A. Grant Outstanding Research Award from the National Association of Multicultural Education in 2019 and a 2016 Best Paper Award from the American Educational Studies Association for his article “Multicultural education and newcomer youth: Re-imagining a more inclusive vision for immigrant and refugee students.”

“It is a tremendous honor to serve as the next dean of the Woodring College of Education,” Roxas said. “Woodring has an outstanding reputation as a college of education in the state, region, and the nation. Its faculty, staff, and students are innovative in their approaches to the preparation of educational professionals to make an impact in schools, universities, hospitals, and community-based organizations. I look forward to continuing to support the work that the college does to create and sustain an affirming culture of learning that advances knowledge,

honors diversities, and promotes social justice. I also look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with members of our local communities, schools, and other community-based organizations.”