The College of Education (COE) proudly announces that Dr. Charisse Cowan Pitre has accepted the appointment as William M. Allen Chair. In announcing the new Allen Chair, Interim Dean Dr. Paulette Kidder stated "I am delighted that Dr. Cowan Pitre has been appointed to serve as the Allen Chair. Her leadership this year in the work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion represents a crucial step forward for the College of Education”. The appointment will extend from January 1 through August 31, 2021 and will provide leadership in the COE in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This appointment recognizes Dr. Cowan Pitre's exceptional contributions and accomplishments as a teacher, scholar, and leader.
“It is an honor to serve in this role and build on the excellence that already exists in the COE,” says Cowan Pitre. “I am thrilled to work in collaboration to advance and deepen our DEI engagement and commitments in the College and University. It’s also very exciting that the work of the Allen Chair this year is aligned with our LIFT SU Inclusive Excellence Action Plan. This presents an invaluable opportunity for transformation and growth as we strive to live the University’s mission more fully.”
The William M. Allen Chair in Education was endowed in 1992 to enable the COE to bring in visiting scholars, and there has been a series of distinguished holders of the chair over the years.
As Allen Chair, Dr. Cowan Pitre will coordinate and align with the work of the Vice-President for Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Cowan Pitre will help to set priorities for the DEI work in the COE and will formulate a proposal for sustainable and ongoing DEI work in the College, in preparation for the hiring of a new dean.