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Bierema

Laura Bierema, a professor of adult education, has been named the University of Georgia College of Education’s new Associate Dean for Academic Programs, effective August 1, 2013.

Bierema replaces James Marshall, who has served in the post since 2009 after joining the UGA faculty as a professor in the department of language and literacy education in 2005. Marshall will retire in June.

“Laura’s appointment allows us to continue to evolve the Office of Academic Programs to more completely serve the needs of the College, while continuing its outstanding focus on PreK-12 education,” said Dean Craig H. Kennedy.

The office handles four major areas within the College: assessment and accreditation, curriculum processes, technology initiatives and student affairs. Specifically, the office oversees the College’s overall performance-based assessment system by assisting programs with ongoing national, state and university program assessment and accreditation efforts, managing the collection of information for various College reports, and working with external bodies including the Professional Standards Commission and Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. This office also facilitates curricular changes within the College, serves in a coordinating role to the College’s international efforts, and oversees the Student Services Office.

Bierema, a faculty member in the College’s department of lifelong education, administration, and policy, received the 2013 Outstanding Scholar Award from the Academy of Human Resources Development (AHRD) for her pioneering feminist research in the field.

She is recognized as one of the first scholars to do feminist research in the field of Human Resources Development (HRD) exploring women’s development in organizations from that perspective. She has also led the development of critical HRD—a perspective that challenges dominant management practice and urges organizations to be sustainable and socially responsible.

Bierema joined the UGA faculty from Michigan State University as an assistant professor in 2000. During her career at UGA, she has received several awards, including the COE’s Russell H. Yeany, Jr. Research Award (2012), Highly Commended Award at the Literati Network Awards (2009), and the AHRD’s Cutting Edge Award for Outstanding Conference Papers in 2007, 2004, 2002 and 1997. Bierema (Ed.D. ’94) earned her doctorate at UGA.