Nancy Deutsch Named Associate Dean for Faculty Development

Nancy Deutsch, Linda K. Bunker Professor of Education, has been appointed the associate dean for faculty development at the UVA School of Education and Human Development. Deutsch will assume faculty development responsibilities from Catherine Bradshaw, who recently accepted a position chairing the steering committee for the University’s ambitious new research initiative.  

"EHD is lucky to have someone with Nancy’s expertise, warmth, and commitment to inclusivity to lead our faculty development efforts,” said dean Stephanie Rowley. “I have no doubt that she will do an excellent job in this new role.” 

Deutsch is the director of Youth-Nex, the UVA Center to Promote Effective Youth Development. She is a professor of research, statistics and evaluation and applied developmental science and is also affiliated with EHD's youth and social innovation (YSI) undergraduate program. Deutsch's research examines the socio-ecological contexts of adolescent development, particularly issues related to identity.  

As associate dean, Deutsch will be responsible for supporting the professional growth and welfare of faculty through inclusive recruitment, retention, and professional development. This includes, among other tasks, meeting with faculty recruits, managing conversations about retirements, and developing systems of mentorship for faculty at all levels. 

"Since I joined the faculty as a newly minted PhD, it is the people at EHD who have made me want to stay by fostering my growth and providing me with opportunities to stretch into new roles,” Deutsch said. “I want to pay it forward and ensure that every faculty member at EHD has the benefit of such a network of relationships and the resources they need to be their best selves within our community.” 

Deutsch said she plans to work closely with Bradshaw and LaRon Scott, the school’s newly appointed associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, to continue Bradshaw’s work and align faculty development with the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals. 

“I look forward to working with Catherine to align faculty development and faculty affairs. I am also committed to partnering with LaRon’s office to ensure that the EHD community is one whose climate is not only welcoming and inclusive, but also promotive of faculty growth and development,” she said. “I want to foster a culture of mentoring that extends across roles, ranks, tracks, programs, and identities in the school.” 

Deutsch received a University Teaching Award in 2017 and a Student Council Distinguished Teaching Award in 2016. In 2013 she received the School of Education and Human Development Outstanding Faculty award. 

"I am grateful to Catherine for creating an infrastructure for faculty development here at EHD,” Rowley said, “and I look forward to working with Nancy to build on that foundation and ensure that each member of our faculty finds the resources and opportunities they need for success.”