New drop-off box allows locals to turn in prescription drugs
July 3, 2019Remember why we’re off this Thursday!
July 3, 2019
Nicholls State University recently selected Dr. Scot Rademaker as the dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences — a position that has been vacant since August of 2018.
“I’m excited to join the Nicholls State University family,” Dr. Rademaker said in a news release by the university. “The combination of teacher education and psychology in the college first attracted me to Nicholls. As I went deeper, I found a wonderful community of faculty, staff and students and many important initiatives, projects and services. I’m looking forward to becoming a part of such an outstanding team and contributing in a meaningful fashion.”
Rademaker was chosen out of a group of three candidates the hiring committee narrowed down to after a 10-month search. “What stood out about Dr. Rademaker during the search process was his experience and passion for both teacher education and psychology,” said Dr. Sue Westbrook, Nicholls Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
The University of Miami graduate received his master’s degree in science from Barry University and doctorate in curriculum and instruction in special education from the University of South Florida.
He later went on to have a noteworthy career in education. Rademaker was an assistant professor of curriculum and pedagogy at Winthrop University and spent two years as a reading interventionist in the Miami-Dade County Public School System — the fifth largest school district in the United States — prior to his most recent positions as a chair of the Division of Education and an assistant professor at The College of New Rochelle.
Experience will be needed in Rademaker’s new position as education and psychology — which are the third and fourth most popular degree programs at Nicholls, respectively, — are housed in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
“The college also oversees some of the most impactful programs across campus, including the pre-k program, Little Colonel’s Academy; the transformative Bridge to Independence Program for students with autism and other intellectual disabilities; and the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders,” the news release reads. “An Applied Behavioral Analysis Clinic will also be housed on campus and is expected to open within the next year.”
“I can’t wait to work with Dr. Rademaker as he leads the College of Education and Behavioral Science into a new chapter of educational excellence and growth,” said Westbrook.
The hiring of Rademaker as dean isn’t the only big decision Nicholls has recently made. In a move that will benefit students across the university, Nicholls said, it will split the College of Arts and Sciences into two colleges — the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Sciences and Technology.
With 13 departments and 22 degree programs, the college was the largest on campus before the split.
The departments of art, social sciences, history and geography, interdisciplinary studies, languages and literature, mass communications and music will be housed in the College of Liberal Arts. Applied sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, petroleum engineering technology and safety management and allied health sciences will fall under the umbrella of the College of Sciences and Technology.
Jean Donegan will serve as interim dean for the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. John Doucet will continue as dean of the College of Sciences and Technology.
“This is going to be a benefit for everyone involved,” Westbrook said. “The college had become too large to manage effectively. With this change, we will be able to more quickly meet the needs of our students, as well as our faculty.” •
