The George Washington University has named Lionel C. Howard interim dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD), effective July 1.
Howard, who joined GW in 2009, currently serves as academic dean and a professor of educational research in the school. His administrative experience in GSEHD includes managing faculty and staff affairs, leading academic planning across all the school’s programs and advising the dean on academic matters. He also serves on the school’s leadership team, represents the school on university-wide committees and acts as a liaison to the senior vice provost for academic affairs.
“Given Dr. Howard’s long tenure in GSEHD and his proven track record of success as an administrator and scholar, I am confident in his ability to lead colleagues and students during this interim period,” Provost Christopher Alan Bracey said.
Howard is an applied developmental psychologist whose research focuses on racial and gender identity development, socialization, social and emotional learning, motivation and academic achievement. He has worked on national and local projects aimed at improving educational outcomes for Black children and minoritized students. He has also served as a consultant on education policy and evaluation studies.
Howard’s work has been published in numerous academic journals, and his work has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
He is co-editor of the third edition of “Facing Racism in Education,” published by Harvard University Press, and is completing a manuscript on Black boys’ social and emotional learning and development.
“GSEHD is a very special school with exceptional faculty, staff, students and alumni who contribute greatly to the field of education and human development,” Howard said. “I look forward to continuing my service to GSEHD as the interim dean and leading our community forward during this period of transition.”
Howard holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, a master’s degree in measurement, statistics and evaluation from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Current GSEHD Dean Michael Feuer will step down on July 1. Feuer has led the school since 2010 and will remain at GW as a tenured professor of education. During his tenure as dean, GSEHD expanded academic programs, strengthened international partnerships and launched initiatives such as the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, GWTeach and the Collaboratory for Jewish Education.
"Having learned from and partnered with Dr. Howard for more than a decade, I am more than pleased that Provost Bracey has asked him to serve as interim dean,” Feuer said. “Dr. Howard has the knowledge, skills, disposition, and international reputation to lead our great school in its next chapter. Congratulations to GSEHD, GW, and Dr. Howard.”
