The University of Alabama College of Education will welcome Peter Hlebowitsh to succeed James McClean as the 10th dean of the College upon McClean’s retirement in January.
Hlebowitsh has held the position of Department Executive Officer at the Department of Teaching and Learning at The University of Iowa since 2008 but is eager to become a part of The University of Alabama.
“I’ve been looking at jobs like this one for about a year now,” Hlebowitsh said. “[The UA College of Education] is a very successful college led by a remarkable dean who has brought the college to a national position.”
Hlebowitsh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, a Master of Arts in curriculum theory and development and a doctorate in education, all from Rutgers University.
Hlebowitsh is responsible for helping to create several programs including a teacher leading center and living-learning community at The University of Iowa. He has an active role in staffing assignments, grant and research management and course design and is responsible for promoting his department’s graduate programs and managing the fiscal planning of the department. He hopes to carry his past successes over into his new postion at UA.
“I’m very much looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and getting to work with the faculty and students,” Hlebowitsh said. “It’s my job to figure out where the weaknesses are. I would hope to find areas we can improve and focus on research, public engagement, and teaching. I do this with humility because the college is already in really good shape.”
Melanie O’Rear, operation coordinator for the dean of education, explains why Hlebowitsh was right for the job. She said the transition from Dean McClean to Hlebowitsh will be a seamless process.
“We are very excited that [Hlebowitsh] is coming here,” O’Rear said. “Dean McClean left the college in good shape. His [Hlebowitsh’s] references, his experience, his personality just seem to be the right fit for our college and this university. Students shouldn’t notice a change so there will be no adverse effects for them.”
UA Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner and President Guy Bailey made the final decision to hire Hlebowitsh.
“Dr. Hlebowitsh has displayed remarkable leadership at The University of Iowa, and I look forward to his service to our university,” Bonner said. “President Bailey and I are strongly committed to working with Dr. Hlebowitsh as he assumes these new responsibilities.”
McClean served as Dean for the College of Education since 2004 and during that time helped guide the college to a No. 79 ranking in U.S. News & World Report rankings of Graduate Schools of Education, the highest ranking in school history.
“Jim [McLean] is a remarkable dean, and I have big shoes to fill,” Hlebowitsh said. “I’m very excited about getting started, and I’m very honored that the faculty and other key involvement groups have given me this opportunity.
