Samford dean earns state post

Samford dean earns state post

Samford University Education Dean Ruth C. Ash will leave this fall to become deputy superintendent of education for Alabama. She will oversee the aspects of instruction for the state’s education department.

Dean Ash’s appointment to the new post was confirmed by the state Board of Education in Montgomery Aug. 26.

“I am honored and deeply moved by this opportunity to serve Alabama’s children and educators, and I am excited about working to help every child and every school to succeed,” said Ash.

Ash joined Samford as dean of the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies May 1, 1992. Her tenure has been marked  by the continuing growth and progress of the education school capped by its selection in 2000 to receive the first National Award for Effective Teacher Preparation.

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley presented the award in Washington, describing Samford’s education school as “a national model of excellence for effective teacher preparation.”

Ash serves as a member of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Board of Examiners, the State Department of Education Board of Examiners and the Center for Quality Assurance in International Education Board of International Reviewers. She is a former Malcolm Balridge National Quality Award Judge.

The Samford dean was chairman of the Alabama Committee on Teacher Enhancement and is past president of the Alabama Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

Before joining Samford, she served in public education systems in Alabama as a teacher, assistant principal, director of curriculum and staff development, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She joined Samford from the Tarrant School System, where she was superintendent.

(SU)