Jeanne Watson, Ruth Childs to lead associate dean portfolios at OISE
July 18, 2011
Two leading scholars and administrators - Jeanne Watson and Ruth Childs - have been appointed to new associate decanal portfolios established at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.
These senior academic administrative appointments were announced following the conclusion of a year-long consultation and strategic planning process that involved more than 500 community members and stakeholder groups from OISE, led by Dean Julia O'Sullivan. As part of the process, a committee of seven faculty and staff members met to review nominations for the positions and make recommendations to the Dean.
The new portfolios of Associate Dean, Programs, and Associate Dean, Innovations and Opportunities to be held by Professors Watson and Childs respectively will, along with the Associate Dean, Research, Normand Labrie in a modified portfolio, help to shape OISE's future.
Jeanne Watson
The Associate 
Dean, Programs portfolio will focus on maximizing the educational impact of OISE’s academic programs, and will be supported by two Academic Directors, one for Initial Teacher Education and one for Graduate Education. Jeanne Watson is well-suited to this role with her background in clinical psychology, and administration. Currently she is Chair of the Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology. Ruth Childs, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology, will be the inaugural Associate Dean, Innovations and Opportunities, tasked with developing and implementing new strategic directions and initiatives at the local, national and international levels, including online learning, institutional research and evaluation, and new revenue generation initiatives. She will draw on her experience conducting studies of large-scale assessment design, and her exemplary record of service and leadership at OISE.
Ruth Childs
Read more about OISE's strategic planning process.