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Cory Forbes

An expert in STEM education from the University of Texas at Arlington is the third announced candidate to become the new dean of the University of Kansas’ School of Education and Human Sciences.

Cory Forbes will present his vision for the KU education school at a public presentation at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Capitol Federal Hall on the Lawrence campus.

Forbes is the director of the STEM Education Research Collaboratorium and Resource Center at UT-Arlington, in addition to serving as an associate dean for research and doctoral studies at the university.

Forbes is one of four finalists for the dean’s position, which will be open at the conclusion of the school year when current Dean Rick Ginsburg will leave the role and return to the KU faculty after 21 years as the dean of the education school.

Previously announced candidates are: Lisa Wolf-Wendel, a professor of higher education in KU’s Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies; and Heather Greenhalgh-Spencer, an associate dean with Texas Tech University.

In his role as a STEM researcher, Forbes has secured more than $10 million in grant funding to study ways to best teach science, technology, engineering and math subjects. His research focuses on improving teaching methods at the K-12 and undergraduate levels.

Forbes has a doctorate in science education and a master’s in natural resources, both from the University of Michigan. Forbes did his undergraduate studies at KU and also has a master’s in science education from KU.

The fourth and final candidate for the dean’s position is expected to be announced next week ahead of a scheduled March 23 presentation.