Dr. Michael Rodriguez, from the Department of Educational Psychology, was selected to assume the new position of Campbell Leadership Chair in Education and Human Development, and Dr. Ann Masten, in the Institute of Child Development, was selected to assume the position of Irving Harris Professorship in Child Development.
As the first faculty member to fill the Campbell Leadership Chair, Rodriguez will contribute significantly to the shared CEHD and University mission of high-quality education for all K-12 students in Minnesota. Rodriguez, an internationally known researcher and leader in education, will support ongoing initiatives to reduce the achievement gap, expand collaboration across the University, and advise President Kaler on ways the University can best help to improve educational access and success.
“As we address these challenges, I have great confidence in Michael’s ability to work with researchers at the University and our community partners to shed light on how to reduce the achievement gap for Minnesota students,” said Jean Quam, dean of the College of Education and Human Development.
Masten, an expert on resilience, fills the Irving Harris Professorship, previously held by Dr. Nicki Crick, who died in Oct. 2012. One of the goals of the Irving Harris Professorship is to encourage scholarly activity in those aspects of child development related to children growing up in high-risk conditions.
“Her latest work in helping homeless children overcome the challenges of school-readiness is life changing,” said Quam. “I am pleased we can honor Ann, in this regard, as she promotes the better understanding of and appreciation for the complex development of children, particularly those in the throes of poverty.”