Désirée Pointer Mace, PhD, has been named dean of Alverno College’s School of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LAPS). She will assume the role on July 1.
In this role, she will work in close partnership with the vice president for Academic Affairs, the academic leadership team, and the LAPS community. Alverno’s largest and most academically diverse school, LAPS encompasses five primary academic areas – Business & Communication; Education; Multidisciplinary Studies; Natural Sciences; and Psychology & Social Work.
“Désirée epitomizes Alverno educational innovation with her creation of award-winning programs, such as our EdD program, her commitment to inclusivity with her important work in educating future teachers in a context of multilingual schools, and in her support of faculty and staff, which is grounded in the Abilities and a growth mindset,” said Gina Rossetti, PhD, vice president for Academic Affairs at Alverno.
Pointer Mace is a highly innovative, experienced educator with over 30 years of experience. Most recently, she served as interim dean of LAPS. She also previously served as professor of education and director of graduate programs, and has taught at Alverno since 2007. In that time, she led professional development and educator preparation at the local, state, national, and international levels. Since 2014, she has advanced work in Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru focused on reform in teacher learning, reaching hundreds of educators from multiple Latin American countries. She has also been recognized twice as a Fulbright Teaching Specialist.
“I am deeply committed to the educational innovative culture of Alverno College, and believe that this community of educators and students will continue to make significant and positive change in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the nation, and the world,” said Pointer Mace.
Pointer Mace earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She earned her master’s degree and doctoral degree in education from the University of California – Berkeley. She serves on the Wisconsin State Superintendent’s Standards Council, a position to which she was appointed. She was also appointed to the City of Milwaukee Charter School Review Committee by the mayor.
