Education Dean - USM Forum -- Message Board

Incredulous · Status: Offline

Education Dean

Obviousman · Status: Offline

I have heard that the micromanagment of Dana's Paw has weighed heavily Pierce as it also does on Gandy. Obviously the unethical behavior of the Dome Gnome in ignoring chain of command and in his pursuit of settling scores for his minions is a justifiable reason to leave for any of the Deans. I really wonder how Grimes sleeps at night.

OM

Incredulous · Status: Offline

Grimes' recent massive pay raise would buy lots of sleeping pills or scotch.

Lily · Status: Offline

Will the nepotism laws preclude Dana being named interim?

Beck · Status: Offline

Jan. 26, 2007

Dean for College of Education and Psychology Steps Down:
Southern Miss Appoints Interim Dean

HATTIESBURG - University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Shelby F. Thames announced today that Dr. Willie Pierce will step down as dean of the Southern Miss College of Education and Psychology and return full-time to academic responsibilities Feb. 1. Dr. Wanda Maulding has been appointed interim dean of the college.

Pierce came to Southern Miss in 1975 as an assistant professor. He has served as dean of the College of Education and Psychology since 2003. During his tenure as dean, the College successfully completed the accreditation process by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the teaching profession's organization to help establish high quality teacher, specialist, and administrator preparation.

"We thank Dr. Pierce for his service to the university as dean of the College of Education and Psychology," said Southern Miss Provost Dr. Jay Grimes. "He is an excellent classroom teacher, and we look forward to his continued dedication to the education of Southern Miss students."

Most recently, Maulding served as associate dean for the College of Education and Psychology. Maulding is an associate professor and has also served as chair of the College's Department of Educational Leadership and Research.

"We have the utmost confidence in Dr. Maulding's leadership," said Dr. Thames. "She is a talented and astute administrator. I know that she will continue her exemplary work and lead the College of Education and Psychology to a level of academic excellence that will be recognized nationally."

Alias · Status: Offline

Will we have to wait for Paul Harvey to give us the rest of the story?

Best wishes to Dean Pierce. Hope he was in a position to negoiate a golden parchute deal for himself. He certainly deserves it for having to deal with one of his department chairs.

Polyonymous · Status: Offline

An administration out to get him,
His best department possibly moving out,
A fallen colleague raising issues of health and priorities,
Enough years in the system to retire,
Internal power plays from those who want his thankless job,
A new president and provost some consider will render the decision moot,

How much "rest of the story" does there need to be?

Curmudgeon · Status: Offline

Feb. 1? I hear he was pushed.

Southern Belle · Status: Offline

For once, did not appoint Dana into a position.

Miracles do happen!

Curmudgeon · Status: Offline

Southern Belle wrote:

For once, did not appoint Dana into a position.

Miracles do happen!

Who do you think picked the replacement?

BAD · Status: Offline

Now, we have an interim associate dean who is proud of being part of the Kajun Kooking Krewe of which he is proud to say is spelled with three K's.

Obviousman · Status: Offline

Southern Belle wrote:
For once, did not appoint Dana into a position.

Miracles do happen!

Obviously the Dome has reformed :) . I am sure that they now know they need to do at least a 5 day National Search before settling on Wurl Crass Southern Miss alum for such a key position.

I hope Wanda is not coerced to put a face of legitimacy on an eenie meenie mynie mo process with a roster that consist of Rosanna - Anna - Dana.

OM

info · Status: Offline

HA, 1/26/07 (update)

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/NEWS01/70126007

USM dean resigns post

Willie Pierce will step down as dean of the University of Southern Mississippi's College of Education and Psychology, the university announced today.

Pierce, who has served as dean since 2003, will return to full-time academic duties. Wanda Maulding, previously an associate dean and assistant professor of educational leadership and research, will serve as interim dean of the college.

Ron Styron, chair of educational leadership and research, has agreed to serve as interim associate dean, Maulding said.

Pierce said he voluntarily resigned, and that he looks forward to focusing on research and grant procurement for the university.

His resignation came as a surprise, Maulding said, adding she was approached about taking the interim deanship yesterday.

"It's a bittersweet moment," she said.

Incredulous · Status: Offline

An assistant professor as a dean? That's wurl' class.

BAD · Status: Offline

He is an associate professor. Miraculously , after three years in his only academic position he was promoted to associate professor without having to go through the formal P & T process.

Southern Belle · Status: Offline

He or She??

Promoted without going through the formal process? May be why she was appointed...

BAD · Status: Offline

The interim associate dean is Ron Styron.

Emma · Status: Offline

Lily wrote:
Will the nepotism laws preclude Dana being named interim?

The law of sound logic should keep her out of the position.

Rod Sterling · Status: Offline

Beck wrote:

Jan. 26, 2007

Dean for College of Education and Psychology Steps Down:
Southern Miss Appoints Interim Dean

HATTIESBURG - University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Shelby F. Thames announced today that Dr. Willie Pierce will step down as dean of the Southern Miss College of Education and Psychology and return full-time to academic responsibilities Feb. 1.

So Shelboo fires Willie in the middle of his contract year, and Willie returns to full-time academic responsibilities. I wonder if Willie can get prepared for the classroom in a week and what classes he will be teaching. What a crock............

Interested onlooker · Status: Offline

So who's right? Did SFT really fire him? If so, why now? As Rod Serling pointed out, its pretty hard to pick up teaching this semester now (though I had the impression Pierce did/does a lot of dissertations, etc.) Or is Obviousman right--that he just got fed up.

Willie's a nice guy. I wish him the best.

info · Status: Offline

Incredulous wrote:
That's wurl' class.

"We have the utmost confidence in Dr. Maulding's leadership," said Dr. Thames. "She is a talented and astute administrator. I know that she will continue her exemplary work and lead the College of Education and Psychology to a level of academic excellence that will be recognized nationally."

For COEP, the goal is apparently only national recognition. Wurl' class is far off.

Obviousman · Status: Offline

Though he has stayed silent, it sounds like Pierce bailed out and was not shoved out. A staffer close to the cabinet said that everyone was caught off guard. If one of the Deans were to be shoved out, she expected that Gandy would be the one to go because he is pursuing an issue that directly implicates the Dome Gnome himself. Very cryptic.

What a transition team could greet the new Prez, of the Deans from 1 Jan one passed away, one bailed out, one maybe pushed out, one incompetent and the other running the search. Toss in an ever fishy Provost and we could see a strange turn in the course of current events.

OM

Godless Liberal · Status: Offline

info wrote:
Incredulous wrote:
That's wurl' class.

"We have the utmost confidence in Dr. Maulding's leadership," said Dr. Thames. "She is a talented and astute administrator. I know that she will continue her exemplary work and lead the College of Education and Psychology to a level of academic excellence that will be recognized nationally."

For COEP, the goal is apparently only national recognition. Wurl' class is far off.

Dean Pierce told us that the Provost told him that he and President Thames "wanted to go in another direction" with respect to the Dean's position. Dean Pierce was enough of a gentlemen to resign at that point. Dr. Maulding mentioned that whether or not a search will be conducted for her interim position will be decided by the next administration, leaving open the possibility that one will not be conducted. Dr. Thames' statement, above, as well as the mid year resignation of Pierce, further supports the notion that Dr. Thames believes that these "interim" appointments are more than placeholder positions. This begs the question--why would he believe this? Dr. Meredith "was aware" of the situation before Dean Pierce was essentially offered the opportunity to resign on Wednesday, and this should concern anyone who is following the Presidential search. One possibility is that Dr. Meredith is allowing Dr. Thames and Dr. Grimes to make major changes and appointments in the waning days of the administration based on the input of close associates without obtaining feedback from faculty and staff leaders and chairs (except perhaps a select few). If this is true, there is a strong liklihood that more unsettling moves are coming soon. Another possibility, which I really hope is not true, is that the events of today are intertwined with the search--and some deal has been struck. This would be disastrous. Dr. Meredith should come forward to explain his thinking on today's events.

Lily · Status: Offline

Godless Liberal wrote:

Dr. Thames' statement, above, as well as the mid year resignation of Pierce, further supports the notion that Dr. Thames believes that these "interim" appointments are more than placeholder positions. This begs the question--why would he believe this?

Another possibility suggested by someone who knows Thames and Meredith is this: Thames has never left a place. He has never worked anywhere else, and therefore he does not understand the basic reality of working life, that when you go, you're gone. He thinks by making these changes he will continue to affect the future of the USM administration, but in fact his day will soon be over. It's possible that Pierce is being punished for some uncooperative or rebellious behavior and/or to provide cover for DT as suggested earlier. However, in a couple of months a new person will be on board and all bets are off. Thames is having great trouble understanding that he will not be in charge any more.

Rats, your ship is still sinking, no matter who you try to bite as you flee.

info · Status: Offline

HA, 1/27/07

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/NEWS01/701270315/1002

Pierce resigns as USM dean of education

The University of Southern Mississippi on Friday announced a leadership change in the College of Education and Psychology.

Effective Feb. 1, Willie Pierce will step down as dean to return to full-time academic duties, the university announced in a news release.

"I resigned voluntarily," said Pierce, adding he looks forward to renewing his focus on the Center for Adult Learning and Education and his professorial duties. "The administration felt new leadership was desirable at this time." ...

Godless Liberal · Status: Offline

"The direction (of the college) is not something I'll be deciding," Maulding said. "We're going to get together as a team and talk about where we want to go."

Hope her team considers no changes until the new President arrives, and then a national search for a Dean and Associate Dean. I have a feeling, however, that this is not what her team has in mind. Fasten your seatbelts.

LeftASAP · Status: Offline

Can any one explain why all of the recent changes have resulted in men being replaced by women? I have no problem with that. It just seems Shelby must have set a new record of having women in the administration (or should that be in his service?). What has his record been with African- Americans and other minorities?

info · Status: Offline

Again, SFT appoints a team that then carries out SFT's wishes. Because the team does not include SFT, on paper it appears that SFT isn't involved in the team's decisions. This game has been played repeatedly in promotion, tenure and raise decisions. It's also how the nepotism issue has been repeatedly managed.

Incredulous · Status: Offline

Let's just say that SFT has always seemed to have had a special relationship with women (most recently Dvorak, Mader, Exline, Jepson, Moore, Joachim, Siltanen). He doesn't appear to be comfortable with strong men. I won't hypothesize as to the psychological roots of the pattern.

Joe Olmi · Status: Offline

Godless Liberal wrote:
"The direction (of the college) is not something I'll be deciding," Maulding said. "We're going to get together as a team and talk about where we want to go."
Hope her team considers no changes until the new President arrives, and then a national search for a Dean and Associate Dean. I have a feeling, however, that this is not what her team has in mind. Fasten your seatbelts.

I've been trying to make sense of the happenings of Friday all weekend. From a personal and professional perspective little has come to light. The motives that I suspect drove the decisions are questionable on so many levels. Why was such a move necessary at such a time? To take the College of Education (and Psychology!) in a different direction less than four months before the beginning of a new administration? So, here we are after more than three years needing a new direction? That makes so much sense at this time. Yea, right! I suspect that Willie was forced out. Yes, one can spin it however one wishes, but I have been taught so many lessons (none of which are good) by this administration that I can arrive at no other conclusion and won't be convinced otherwise. Yes, I acknowledge that I'm stating the obvious.

So, we are now being told that the College is in need of new leadership. I wonder who arrived at this conclusion? Was there any consultation with the Chairs of the Departments within the College? What data were reviewed? Were those data by department? What did those data reveal? The institutional data that I have reviewed offer some interesting answers enrollment, productivity, and related questions? Did data drive the decision to replace Willie? If so, what were those data? Will that ever be known? I doubt it very seriously. Was Willie treated in a fair manner? No, I do not think so.

I apologize for the rambling, but I'm still trying to make sense of it all. But, all I have are questions. Is "interim" status just that? Will a "real" national search follow? Will this "interim" period be a time of bloodletting in the College? Was Willie in the way of the wishes of others? Does his removal simply allow others to do as they have wished, but could not affect with Willie in the Dean's position? I have nothing but questions. But, I would suggest that Wanda and her "team" leave the direction of the College to the new Dean and coast until the search concludes. Do I believe such will occur, not in the least.