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Lisa Wolf-Wendel

A distinguished professor within the University of Kansas’ School of Education & Human Services will be the first candidate to publicly interview to become the new dean of KU’s highly ranked education school.

Lisa Wolf-Wendel, a professor of higher education in KU’s Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, will give a public presentation at 3 p.m. on March 5 at the Capitol Federal Hall Colloquium on KU’s Lawrence campus.

Wolf-Wendel is one of an expected four finalists who will give public presentations as part of the interview process to lead the education school. Current Dean Rick Ginsberg is leaving the role at the end of the school year, after having led the school for the past 21 years. During the tenure of Ginsberg, who plans to remain on the KU faculty, KU’s education school has consistently been one of the top ranked by U.S. News & World Report, and also has been top ranked in terms of research dollars garnered.

Wolf-Wendel has been a KU faculty member for more than 30 years, and currently serves as the senior associate dean for research and graduate studies at the school. Wolf-Wendel has been a leading researcher on equity issues facing higher education, and she’s extensively researched challenges related to the labor market for professors and faculty members. A recent research project focused on how universities can have policies that allow faculty members to balance work and family activities.

Wolf-Wendel has her doctorate degree in higher education from the Claremont Graduate University, and has undergraduate degrees from Stanford University.

The three other finalists for the position are expected to be announced later this month, just a few days before they are set to give public presentations on March 9, March 12 and March 23.