An award-winning teacher and researcher who has served in several leadership roles at West Virginia University will guide the College of Education and Human Services as interim dean, an appointment that will likely encompass the next academic year.
Tracy Morris steps into the role upon the departure of Dean Gypsy Denzine, who was recently named senior vice provost for faculty affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Provost Joyce McConnell made the announcement Thursday, July 26.
“Tracy brings tremendous breadth of experience in administration to this important role,” McConnell said. “The faculty and staff of our College of Education and Human Services are engaged in work that measurably and demonstrably improves lives, whether by preparing the next generation of teachers, exploring new treatments for communication disorders or training counselors and addiction specialists. They deserve transitional leadership that is both inclusive and forward-thinking, and I am confident that Tracy will provide that direction.”
Morris joined the WVU faculty in 1993. She served as chair of the Department of Psychology from 2010-2013, associate dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Outreach for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences from 2013-2017 and interim director for the School of Social Work from 2016-2017. She currently serves as the Eberly College’s senior adviser for leadership development and special initiatives.
McConnell noted that the University is deeply grateful to Denzine for her years of service to WVU in several leadership roles. The entire campus community is invited to celebrate her this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. in the rooftop lounge of the Evansdale Crossing.
She said that the University will likely conduct a national search for a new dean in fall 2019.
