Rena A. Hallam, a professor of human development and family sciences, will serve as interim dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development, President Dennis Assanis and Provost Laura Carlson announced today.

Hallam, a UD alumna and director of the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, will step into this role effective Aug. 16, as Dean Gary Henry completes his term and returns to the School of Education faculty.

“Through her research and service, Rena has shown a deep commitment to improving early-childhood education for both children and educators, demonstrating the tremendous impact that our scholarship can have on future generations,” Assanis said. “I know Rena will bring this same mindset to her new role serving the entire College of Education and Human Development. I am excited to work with her to maintain the positive momentum of CEHD and the whole University.”

Assanis thanked Henry for his leadership of the college since 2019.

“Under Gary’s guidance, CEHD made significant contributions to society in preparing tomorrow’s educators and human services professionals, advancing research in these critical fields and working directly with educators in Delaware and beyond,” Assanis said.

Carlson said Hallam is a prolific scholar and has been principal investigator on dozens of research grants and contracts focused on early childhood education in Delaware and the nation.

“Rena is highly respected by her peers and colleagues at UD and throughout her discipline, and she is well positioned to build on the work of Dean Henry in advancing CEHD’s reputation and impact,” Carlson said. “I am grateful for Gary’s service to the college, and I am very glad that he will be staying on UD’s faculty.”

Hallam said she is honored to serve as interim dean.

“All of the faculty and staff members of CEHD are dedicated professionals who truly care about the important work of the college, and I look forward to working with everyone in this new role,” Hallam said. “I also appreciate that President Assanis and Provost Carlson have given me this opportunity to serve the University in this way.”

Henry said he is grateful for his time leading CEHD.

“I am honored to have worked with so many state and community partners during my tenure as dean, as well as the amazing staff and faculty in our College,” he said. “I am particularly proud of our ability to grow our faculty expertise over the years and increase our College’s research productivity. I’m proud of all that we have accomplished together for Delaware’s most vulnerable children, families and communities. I look forward to all that we can accomplish in the coming year under Rena’s expert leadership.”

Assanis and Carlson said a national search for the next CEHD dean will begin later this academic year.

Hallam earned her bachelor’s degree from Transylvania University in Kentucky, her master’s from the University of Southern Mississippi and her doctorate in family studies from UD.

She joined UD in 2010 as an associate professor. Since 2020, she has directed the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood. She has more than 25 years of experience designing, implementing and studying early childhood systems in partnership with governmental agencies. She currently serves as a core partner for the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center.

Her scholarship focuses on strategies for supporting the early childhood workforce and improving the quality of early care and education environments. Her current research focuses on the delivery of pre-K in family child care programs and the development of quality improvement tools in early education.

Article by Mike Chalmers Photo by Lane McLaughlin July 17, 2024

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Header image caption: Rena A. Hallam, a professor of human development and family sciences, will serve as interim dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development, effective Aug. 16.