Alverno College Appoints New Dean of Education

Nancy Athanasiou, Ed.D., has been appointed dean of Alverno College's School of Education. In this role, she will provide leadership to the School of Education and partner with faculty to foster student achievement.

Prior to becoming dean, Athanasiou served as an associate dean, overseeing the undergraduate program in the School of Education. In that role she worked with faculty to review and revise curriculum, served as an advisor to all undergraduate students in the School of Education, worked on several campus-wide committees, and consulted with multiple schools and school districts, both locally and internationally.

Athanasiou was also instrumental in helping the Milwaukee Police Department develop their STOP (Students Talking it Over with Police) Program curriculum. The program, the first of its kind in the country, is meant to improve interactions between police officers and urban youth. Officers are trained to become STOP instructors, and they in turn train students age 12-18 conflict resolution and social skills through role play.

Athanasiou's professional affiliations include membership in the Wisconsin Independent Colleges for Teacher Education (WICTE), the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (WACTE), the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

Mary Diez, Ph.D. and former dean of the School of Education, will continue to be an integral part of the College. She will maintain her role working with several area schools and districts to improve outcomes for all students, as well as continue her work with character education and teaching in the School of Education.