Dear Members of the TC Community,
I’m writing to share that Amy Stuart Wells (Ph.D. ’91), Professor of Sociology and Education, has been named Bank Street College’s Dean of the Graduate School of Education, effective August 30, 2023.
Professor Wells has enriched teaching, scholarship and discourse during her more than 22 years at the College, building on her time as a student in the Sociology and Education program where she would later teach. In 2009, she worked alongside Professor Sharon Lynn Kagan and other faculty to research and develop what would become TC’s Department of Education Policy and Social Analysis, which has since continued to grow in size and reputation. Similarly, with faculty colleagues, she has cultivated the Sociology and Education program, which she currently leads.
Throughout her career, Professor Wells’ research and scholarship have closely examined educational policy, specifically related to how diversity and segregation impact school quality. Her current work focuses on helping teachers, schools and systems integrate anti-racist policies and practices into their work. In 2016, Professor Wells and several faculty affiliated with the Gordon Institute across several departments founded the Reimagining Education Summer Institute (RESI), an annual professional development conference in anti-racism education that has attracted as many as 1,200 educators, policymakers and administrators from the United States and around the world each year. Under Professor Wells’ leadership, the Institute also provides training and professional development education in culturally responsive teaching and learning throughout the academic year, by tapping the collective expertise of TC faculty on issues concerning race and education, as well as a for-credit Advanced Certificate Program in Teaching, Learning and Leading for a Racially Just Society.
Professor Wells’ anti-racist research has culminated in authoring and editing five books, more than 50 articles and book chapters, and dozens of research reports and articles for the popular press. Among her numerous projects, she served as the co-principal investigator with former TC colleague Erica Walker on their study funded by $1.2 million from the National Science Foundation on culturally-responsive strategies for motivating STEM engagement in diverse public schools.
Professor Wells’ scholarship, service and high international standing in the field led to the British Academy appointing her as a corresponding fellow just last summer. She also served as the president of the American Educational Research Association from 2018-2019, and leads The Public Good: A Public School Support Organization (PSSO), which drives research dedicated to supporting and sustaining racially diverse public schools.
Beyond respecting Professor Wells as an impassioned teacher, researcher and driver of justice, the TC community values her collaboration and colleagueship. We are fortunate that she will be just blocks away at Bank Street, and we look forward to the opportunity for new collaborations. Please join me in wishing Professor Wells heartfelt success as she embarks on a new chapter in our shared goal of bettering the world.
Sincerely,
William J. Baldwin
Interim Provost and Dean