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UT Tyler Announces College of Education and Psychology Interim Dean

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August 20, 2014

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

August 20, 2014

Dr. Wesley Hickey has been named interim dean of the College of Education and Psychology at The University of Texas at Tyler, effective Sept. 1, Dr. Ross Sherman, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced.

Hickey will fill the vacancy left by Sherman’s new appointment, and he has served the university since 2004.

A UT Tyler alumnus, Hickey is an associate professor of educational leadership. He has served as the UT Tyler Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies chair since March 1, and he was also superintendent program coordinator for 10 years.

“As a former teacher, coach, principal and superintendent, Dr. Hickey has a breadth of professional experiences that will serve him well in his new position,” Sherman said. “He is highly respected both in K-12 and higher education for his work in educational leadership throughout the state.”

As interim dean, Hickey will oversee the university’s education and psychology programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the UT Tyler School of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Department of Psychology and Counseling.

“It is an honor to work with the chairs, faculty and staff of the departments in the College of Education and Psychology,” Hickey said.

A highly published educator and presenter, he has brought UT Tyler several external grants. Hickey was also instrumental in establishing the UT Tyler Innovation Academy, having served as founding superintendent and is currently faculty adviser for its three locations in Tyler, Longview and Palestine. Hickey also organizes and leads the UT Tyler “Belize for Educators” travel study course, which is an extension of ongoing research and service in southern Belize. In addition, he was the 2008 UT Tyler J. Burns Brown Fellow and is co-editor of the book, Texas Public School Organization and Administration.

Hickey holds a master of education from UT Tyler and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. He also holds secondary, mid-management and superintendent certifications from the Texas Education Agency.

His professional and research interests include public school bond elections, superintendent leadership and church/state issues.

Prior to serving UT Tyler, he served Big Sandy Independent School District for 12 years, first as a biology teacher, then middle school principal and later as the district’s superintendent.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 7,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.