Ken Weaver was named today as the new dean of the Teachers College. He is currently the associate dean of the college and will replace Phil Bennett, who has worked for Emporia State for 11 years and retires June 9.

“After a national search, Dr. Weaver’s track record as a leader, having served as a department chair, interim dean and associate dean will be invaluable to the Teachers College as it continues its legacy of excellence,” said Provost Tes Mehring in an ESU press release. “Ken is respected as an excellent teacher and scholar, and is actively engaged in his profession and university committees.”

Last summer, the Teachers College was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for excellence, and it recently earned reaccreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

“The Teachers College has sustained excellence preparing professionals and serving Kansans for nearly 150 years,” Weaver said in the press release. “As the new dean of The Teachers College, I look forward to engaging our students, faculty, staff and alumni as well as our P-12 partners in USD 253 and throughout the state, our community college partners, the business community and elected officials to create new opportunities for excellence.”

Weaver received his bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s of education degree in science education from the University of South Carolina and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from Columbia University.

He has served the ESU community since 1986, and during those 26 years he not only has taught education and psychology classes, but he also has directed the Emporia State Honors Program and the 1992 Kansas Regents Honors Academy. He has served as chair of the Department of Psychology and Special Education and associate dean and interim dean of The Teachers College. In 1999, Weaver was named the Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor.

The Bulletin