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| Dr. Gloria Pelaez |
After a broad search, St. Thomas University (STU) has selected Dr. Gloria Pelaez as the new dean for the School of Arts and Education. Beginning July 19, Pelaez will oversee the school’s undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in education, as well as its programs in communication arts.
“Dr. Pelaez’ extensive resume, in particular in higher education, makes her ideally suited to lead a school that has seen enormous growth in the past two years through our online offerings,” said Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Irma Becerra. “Her diverse administrative experience and academic training will help us further grow our programs, helping us enhance our long-standing tradition of producing exceptional educators and communications professionals.”
Most recently, Pelaez served as the director of the Office of Teacher Education Accreditation at the University of Miami. Prior to that, she served as the director of the School of Education at Miami Dade College, and was a tenured faculty member and TESOL Department chair at Barry University. She also served as coordinator of TESOL programs and faculty at Florida Atlantic University where she developed the first elementary education with ESOL endorsement program in the state of Florida. Her curricular integration model continues to serve as a guide for colleges, universities and school districts across the state. Her extensive resume also includes time in the classroom in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
“From producing alumni that include Miami-Dade County’s Teacher of the Year, to broadcasters working in local and national newsrooms, we are proud of the strength of the programs we have offered for more than 50 years,” said STU President, Monsignor Franklyn Casale. “I have no doubt that Dr. Pelaez will help us continue and grow this incredible legacy.”
Dr. Pelaez is a published academic who has also presented extensively, in particular on the topic of TESOL, educational policy, and curricular design. She holds a doctorate’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Florida Atlantic University; and a master’s degree in TESOL from the University of Miami. She completed her undergraduate studies at Bryn Mawr College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Comparative Literature/Spanish/English from Pennsylvania State University.
