School of Education alumna Cynthia Gerstl-Pepin has been named dean of the College of Education at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Gerstl-Pepin (Ph.D. ’98) currently serves as associate dean of the University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services, where she has been a member of the faculty since 2002. She becomes dean at UMass Amherst on July 1.
Gerstl-Pepin was a doctoral advisee of School of Education faculty member Catherine Marshall. The two co-authored the book “Reframing Educational Politics for Social Justice,” which is about to enter its second printing.
Gerstl-Pepin is recognized as a leading authority on educational politics and ethical leadership. Poverty, with its connection to inequitable educational outcomes, has been a theme in her work.
Gerstl-Pepin previously chaired the department of education at the University of Vermont. A member of UVM’s faculty since 2002, she is professor of educational leadership and policy studies and educational studies. She also taught at Georgia State University from 2000-02 and Western Carolina University from 1998 to 2000.
She was named a Fulbright Scholar in 2011 for study at Beijing Normal University.