Michael J. Feuer Named GSEHD Dean

The National Research Council leader and education policy expert will join GW on Sept. 1.

July 2, 2010

Michael Feuer

The George Washington University has tapped Michael J. Feuer of the National Research Council of the National Academies to be the next dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development.

“Michael Feuer brings to this position an extraordinary record of intellectual and administrative leadership at the intersection of education research and policy,” says President Steven Knapp. “He also brings a focus on building collaborative partnerships that will help the school rise to the next level of national prominence.”

He succeeds Mary Hatwood Futrell, who led the school for 15 years and solidified the school’s reputation as one of the top in the nation. During Dean Futrell’s tenure, GSEHD was ranked consistently as one of the top 35 graduate schools of education in the country.

Dr. Feuer currently serves as the executive director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education at the National Research Council of the National Academies, where he has been instrumental in shaping the National Academies’ prominent role in education. He previously served as a senior analyst at the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, where he specialized in educational technology and measurement. He has held faculty positions at Drexel and Georgetown universities and has been a senior adviser to a number of foundations and educational institutions in the U.S., Europe and Israel. 

Dr. Feuer is a member of the National Academy of Education, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a fellow of the American Educational Research Association. He has published widely in social science, economics and education journals. His most recent book, “Moderating the Debate: Rationality and the Promise of American Education,” was published by Harvard Education Press in 2006. He holds a B.A. in English from Queens College (CUNY), an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Pennsylvania.

“I am honored to lead the very fine Graduate School of Education and Human Development and excited about our prospects to play a major leadership role in the nation’s quest for improved education at all levels,” Dr. Feuer says. “I hope to help GSEHD become an even more influential force at the frontiers of education research, policy and practice at a time when the nation’s eyes are so sharply focused on the future of learning and human development.”

“Dr. Feuer is ideally suited to bring GSEHD to even greater academic excellence,” says Provost Steven Lerman. “His experience and relationships in the policy and research communities will further enrich the already strong and vibrant GSEHD and create new opportunities for our students and faculty.”

Janet Heddesheimer, professor of counseling and research professor of psychiatry and behavioral science, will serve as acting dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development until Sept. 1. Following a sabbatical, Mary Hatwood Futrell will return to the GSEHD faculty.