911吃瓜

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 1, 2017

Education law and policy expert has served in several leadership roles at Kennesaw State

911吃瓜 has named Mike Dishman as dean of The Graduate College and associate vice president for research policy and compliance, effective April 1.

Dishman, a professor of education policy and governance at Kennesaw State, had been the interim dean of The Graduate College since 2015. He previously served as associate dean of The Graduate College, the graduate program coordinator of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and the chair of the Department of Educational Leadership.

鈥淔ollowing a national search, we recognized that the best candidate for dean of The Graduate College already was here at Kennesaw State,鈥� said Ken Harmon, provost and vice president for academic affairs at 911吃瓜. 鈥淒r. Dishman has demonstrated that he is an impressive leader and a devoted educator. I am confident that he will build on the accomplishments he has made here and take The Graduate College to new heights.鈥�

During Dishman鈥檚 three-year tenure as chair, enrollment in the Department of Educational Leadership鈥檚 graduate programs increased approximately 300 percent. In 2014, Dishman became the first associate dean of The Graduate College, responsible for graduate faculty, policy and curriculum.

As associate dean, Dishman led graduate initiatives relating to Kennesaw State鈥檚 consolidation with Southern Polytechnic State University, including the review of 26 graduate programs. As interim dean, he oversaw several new initiatives in The Graduate College, including significantly expanding the graduate faculty鈥檚 role in curricular and policy matters, implementing new standards for graduate program review and approval, increasing resources and support for graduate programs, revising the University graduate assistantship process, and the consolidated University鈥檚 first holistic review and revision of graduate policy.

鈥淚 greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the graduate faculty, students and larger community of 911吃瓜,鈥� Dishman said. 鈥淏eing invited to serve in an academic leadership role is a tremendous honor for any professor, but particularly so at a University one truly believes is exceptional.鈥�

A recognized scholar and practitioner in education law and policy, Dishman served as an assistant professor of education law and ethics at the University of Alaska and associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at 911吃瓜. In 2011, he was promoted to professor and awarded tenure.

Dishman holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Mississippi and a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. He has co-authored six books on education law, policy and leadership.

One of his books, Leading Schools During Crisis, was selected by the American Association of School Administrators as one of seven 2009 publications meriting an 鈥渁uthor discussion session鈥� at the 2010 National Conference on Education and led to Dishman serving on the association鈥檚 publications review board. He also served on the editorial review board of the Peabody Journal of Education, one of the nation鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious journals in education, and as an education policy content reviewer for Rowman & Littlefield Education.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 911吃瓜 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.