Finalists named for dean of College of Education and Human Sciences

The search committee for the dean position at South Dakota State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences has named four finalists, who will be on campus next week.


Each candidate will spend one day interviewing and meeting with university leadership, deans, researchers, faculty, students and staff. There will be open forums for each candidate to engage with other key stakeholders, including community and university members.


The finalists are (by interview date):
 
 

Evan Ortlieb, Ph.D. 

Ortlieb is dean and Zucker Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurial Education Leadership in the Zucker Family School of Education at The Citadel. He earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Louisiana State University with previous work experience in Singapore, Australia and New York.

He interviews Tuesday, Oct. 17. His open forum will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Wagner Hall 238. To participate in the open forum session via Zoom, visit Evan Ortlieb Zoom.

His expertise centers on literacy development, teacher education, leveraging diversity as an asset in classrooms, and educational leadership. Ortlieb currently serves as the principal investigator on numerous federal, state and organizational grants aimed at improving collegiate retention, creating centers of excellence to serve teachers and PK-12 students in rural and marginalized communities across South Carolina, striving to meet the needs of dyslexic students, and using artificial intelligence to advance the ways children learn to read and write.

His background includes work on journals and surveys and in multiple organizations related to literacy, and founding an organization that provides scholarships for cancer survivors. 
 
 

Joan Brewer, Ph.D.

With over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education, Brewer has previously served as a department chair, associate dean, dean and interim vice provost. Her professional background crosses multiple disciplines and includes mathematics and physical education, exercise science and coaching.

She interviews Wednesday, Oct. 18. Her open forum will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Wagner Hall 238. To participate in the open forum session via Zoom, visit Joan Brewer Zoom.

Brewer earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Kansas State University, and both her master’s degree in health, physical education and recreation and bachelor’s degree in education from Emporia State University.

Brewer is well-versed in accreditation, including the Higher Learning Commission and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, leading her institution to receive national recognition for excellence in the continuous improvement process.

Brewer has numerous publications and presentations at the national and international levels. She supports “out-of-the-box” thinking, and her experience includes working with donors to secure resources to support innovative faculty and staff ideas and launching an education podcast. Her passion lies in assisting others in achieving success, and she has supported faculty in grant-writing efforts to acquire several large grants, which have fostered program growth and community partnerships. 
 
 

Paul Ballard, Ed.D. 

Ballard is a professor in the sport and movement studies department at Central Washington University. Prior to his current position, he served as the university’s dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies.

He interviews Thursday, Oct. 19. His open forum will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Wagner Hall 238. To participate in the open forum session via Zoom, visit Paul Ballard Zoom.

His leadership and administrative experience includes serving as the associate dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver along with various administrative positions at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan.

Ballard earned his Doctor of Education degree in athletic administration at Temple University in Philadelphia. He also holds a Master of Education in exercise physiology from Temple University and a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Brigham Young University.

Ballard has a strong background in academic program development, curriculum development, faculty/staff mentorship, budget management, accreditation and assessment. He has taught courses in kinesiology, athletic training, exercise science, sport management and physical education in his teaching career, and has over 14 years of experience as an on-site reviewer for accreditation agencies. 
 
 

Ronald Werner-Wilson, Ph.D. 

Werner-Wilson began his academic career in 1993 at Western Michigan University. He has been a faculty member at land-grant, R-1 universities since 1995 that includes appointments at Colorado State University, Iowa State University, the University of Kentucky and North Dakota State University.

He interviews Friday, Oct. 20. His open forum will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Wagner Hall 238. To participate in the open forum session via Zoom, visit Ronald Werner-Wilson Zoom.

After a national search, Werner-Wilson was named dean of the College of Human Sciences and Education at North Dakota State University in June 2022. Following a university reorganization that included merging units from the College of Human Sciences and Education with the College of Health Professions, he was named interim dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences after an internal search.

Werner-Wilson earned a doctorate in child and family development from the University of Georgia, and both his master’s degree in sociology and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia State University.

Additional academic leadership experience includes serving as director of accredited graduate programs, director of graduate studies, and department chair.

For more information on the candidates, log onto the dean finalists landing page.