Tom Sork, Professor, Educational Studies
I joined the Faculty of Education in 1981 and have served under the leadership of four Deans. The perspective I would bring to the work of the Committee is based on observing and being subject to the personalities, leadership styles and decisions of each dean. In addition, I served for eight years in total—from 2008-2016—as Associate Dean, External Programs and Learning Technologies (now PDCE); Senior Associate Dean, International and Administration; and Senior Associate Dean, International. Throughout those years, I carried oversight responsibilities for our external programs/community engagement and international activities including being part of the large team that organized and delivered the Dadaab Teacher Education Program and delivery of the Master of Educational Technology (MET) program. As Senior Associate Dean, I was involved in the faculty renewal/hiring and merit processes in the Dean’s Office. I am currently serving on the Faculty Personnel Committee that advises the Dean on promotion and tenure cases.
I have served on many search committees and have chaired several including a Tier 2 CRC search and was also on the President’s Advisory Committee for selecting our current Dean. Having worked closely with two deans on the “senior leadership team” has given me insights into the responsibilities carried and challenges faced by a dean of education in our large, diverse and complex Faculty. Relevant to the current global health crisis, I also chaired the Faculty of Education’s “Continuity of Service” working group during the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009. I can imagine some useful questions being raised with candidates about how academic leadership is tested not only in day-to-day operations but also in the extreme circumstances we face today and the challenges around the sustainability of our important work—and the values that underpin it—that will follow.