UC names new leader for College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services
Lisa Huffman, PhD, to serve as dean of the nationally-ranked college
The University of Cincinnati has selected Lisa Huffman, PhD, to serve as dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services. Huffman will assume the role on July 1, 2024.
Huffman currently serves as dean of the College of Professional Education (COPE) at Texas Woman’s University — a public university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston that serves a culturally diverse, non-traditional student community.
“Following a national search that drew many qualified candidates, Dr. Huffman’s passion for research, teaching and student success stood out,” says Valerio Ferme, PhD, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Her dedication to promoting equitable and just opportunities for all students by breaking down barriers and creating a sense of belonging for students and well as faculty and staff will greatly serve UC’s community of traditional and non-traditional learners.”
During her six-year tenure as dean of COPE, Huffman has overseen an array of academic programs, developed and implemented new degrees, including online and hyflex programs, provided oversight for a community-focused mental health training clinic and created partnerships with community colleges, non-profits, school districts and hospitals to ensure faculty research support, as well as student internships and clinical placements. Under Huffman’s leadership the college has sustained enrollment growth of 11% since 2018.
“My belief that solving complex societal problems will come through research, teaching and service that engages our community is what drew me to UC. Where better to engage in this work than at an urban R1 research university,” says Huffman. “We need to be in the community, for the community.”
Prior to Texas Woman’s University, Huffman served as dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Students at Cameron University and held faculty and department chairperson positions at Ball State University. She is a proponent of data-driven decision making and believes in the power of innovation and creating a collaborative community to champion student success.
“UC’s Next Lives Here strategic direction has clear and inspirational goals focused on research, innovation and impact which directly align with my goals as a leader,” adds Huffman. “Serving as the next dean of CECH and enacting this vision that accelerates student success and graduates impact-driven leaders while investing in the people who make this excellence possible is an exciting opportunity, and I can’t wait to be part of the Bearcats community.”
Huffman has spent much of her career developing and implementing programming in support of faculty mentoring and leadership to ensure excellence in teaching and strong research. As an academic leader she has also built academic and business partnerships to increase community collaborations and develop shared goals to create opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
Huffman earned her doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. She has received numerous grants in the areas of leadership and bilingual education and has been recognized by the Texas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education for her leadership as COPE dean.
About CECH
The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services is committed to the pursuit of discovery and excellence in research, teaching and service that addresses real world challenges and opportunities to create positive social change. The nationally renowned college includes four academic schools: School of Education, School of Criminal Justice, School of Human Services and School of Information Technology. CECH serves nearly 5,000 students and 151 full-time faculty and offers 35-degree programs and 39 certificates.
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