Interim Director of COEHD Urban Education Institute Announced

The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) announces the appointment of Sharon Nichols, Ph.D., as Interim Director of the Urban Education Institute (UEI). Nichols currently serves as Department Chair of Educational Psychology in COEHD and will maintain all responsibilities as chair while leading the UEI for the remainder of the school year.

“Dr. Nichols exceeds all the qualifications for this position,” COEHD Dean, Mario Torres, Ph.D. recently stated. “Her strong background in policy research, evaluation, and partnerships, her connections with scholars locally and nationally, and her strong desire to support the diverse needs and interests of our external stakeholders through rigorous and robust research make her an ideal fit for this post.”

Launched in 2019, and previously led by Mike Villarreal, Ph.D., the institute serves as a hub to prepare future educators, strengthen community partnerships, and raise the educational attainment levels and earnings of economically disadvantaged students. Since its inception, the institute has conducted rigorous and actionable research to include studies on the effects of COVID-19 on teaching and learning, Educational Attainment, Industry and Earning, Public Pre-K Supply and Demand, and much more.

As for the future of the institute under the interim direction of Nichols, she plans to work closely with the existing team of the UEI to continue ongoing projects and operations but has new ideas for future collaborations, partnerships, and projects. One of her key strategies will be to broaden the academic and intellectual capital and reach of the institute.

“I plan to reach out to faculty throughout COEHD and UTSA to create a stronger bridge between the UEI and what we have to offer faculty who do stellar education research,” she said. “I think the institute and UTSA faculty should develop a stronger reciprocal relationship where we are viewed as a resource and a space to germinate their good ideas and where faculty can see the UEI as a potential home for their work.”