Western hires Karen Dade as new Woodring associate dean

Karen Dade has been named as the new associate dean for Wooding College of Education at Western Washington University.

“We are very pleased that Dr. Dade will be joining the administrative team here at Woodring College of Education. She brings experience and expertise that will advance the mission of the College in innumerable ways,” said Woodring College Dean Francisco Rios.

This summer, Dade will begin transitioning to her duties at Western. Her position as associate dean will fill duties now held by Woodring College associate deans Michael Henniger and Sheila Fox, who are retiring.

"I'm thrilled to join the WWU family and I am looking forward to working with everyone at Woodring College of Education under the direction of Dean Francisco Rios, a well-respected, talented scholar in our field. I hope to help continue the efforts he has started in making Woodring College a model for distinction in developing diverse programs that meet the needs of students and community. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with faculty, staff and students who are committed to social justice leadership and educational excellence,” Dade said.

Dade has extensive experience in the field of education. She has a doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, was an assistant professor of Education at Iowa State University, and was associate professor and system-wide executive director of Cross Cultural Studies and the CARE (Consortia for Applied Research in Education) programs for the Graduate School of Education at Alliant International University, with campuses throughout California and in several countries abroad. 

She served as professor and chairperson for the Education Department at Spelman College in Atlanta, where she successfully chaired the renewal accreditation process in Early Childhood Education and new program accreditation in Secondary Education. Most recently, Dade has served as scholar-in-residence and executive director of the Multicultural International Development Co.

Her areas of expertise include curriculum and instruction, applied research and cross-cultural studies. She has received awards for faculty excellence, has held research fellowships both in the United States and overseas, and has received a number of grants for her research and program development in multicultural education. She has published extensively, including in books, invited chapters and articles, has presented her research as a speaker for national and international conferences, and has served on executive boards, including the National PTA and National Association for Multicultural Education.

The associate dean at Woodring College takes a leadership role in accreditation, and assists with college-level aspects of curriculum and assessment. The associate dean assists with scholarships, coordinates efforts among the departments, advances diversity efforts, and oversees communications for the college.

Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education is recognized throughout Washington, and beyond, as a leader in the development and implementation of programs that prepare outstanding teachers, from early childhood to adult education; educational administration leaders; human services professionals; and rehabilitation counselors. For more information please visit the Woodring College website.