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Press Release
Rolle selected as new University of South Florida College of Education dean
TAMPA, Fla. (June 8, 2021) – The University of South Florida announced today the appointment of R. Anthony Rolle, an experienced leader and former professor and department chair at USF, as the new dean of the College of Education. Rolle returns to USF after serving as dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Rhode Island for the past four years.
In his new position, Rolle will be responsible for leading the college’s 2,200 students and 130 faculty members who are spread across USF’s three campuses. He’ll guide the College of Education’s initiatives to prepare and certify teachers, design and deliver undergraduate and graduate degree programs to develop principals and other K-12 leaders, and continue to align programs in the college to meet the changing demands of K-12 education and strengthen the college's focus on educational research.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Rolle as the next dean of USF’s College of Education,” said USF President Steve Currall. “His academic and professional experiences as a dean of a college of education and professional studies and as a professor at large research universities make him an ideal candidate to lead our college’s outstanding faculty, focus on student success, and commitment to pre-K through 12 community partners.”
During more than two decades of professional service to the field of education, Rolle has established a long-standing commitment to supporting student access for success, faculty excellence, research and community collaboration. He has been recognized for his K-12 finance and policy research and has developed models to measure effectiveness and efficiency in public school systems, managed national and internationally recognized research projects for government and nonprofit organizations, increased endowed student scholarships, enhanced community partnerships and supported faculty excellence in research and teaching on an international scale.
“As the new dean of the College of Education, Dr. Rolle will play a critical role in helping to shape the future of high-quality, relevant and innovative undergraduate and graduate programs across the college,” said USF Provost and Executive Vice President Ralph C. Wilcox. “USF’s College of Education remains committed to working closely with our partners to address the challenges facing education today across the Tampa Bay region and beyond.”
Prior to his tenure at the University of Rhode Island, Rolle served as a faculty member and department chair at the University of Houston. From 2010 to 2014 at USF, Rolle was a faculty member and chair of the former department of educational leadership and policy studies.He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Santa Clara University, his Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington and his doctorate from Indiana University.
"I am honored to return to the University of South Florida and the College of Education," Rolle said. "I look forward to working with faculty, alumni and community partners to help shape an exciting and distinctive vision for the future of the College of Education while working collaboratively to strengthen the college’s commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion through faculty, staff and student recruitment, development and support, curricula enrichment, research and community engagement.”
Last month, the USF College of Education earned full accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This important re-accreditation marks the completion of a process that follows a rigorous, nationally recognized set of standards developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs.
Rolle will officially join the USF community in his new position in August.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at usf.edu.
