By Ralph Derickson

James Cibulka,
dean, UK College of Education

"Dr. Cibulka has strong aspirations for the college and a vision that I think will help it grow."

-- Michael Nietzel,
UK acting provost.

March 5, 2002 (Lexington) -- The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees today approved the appointment of James Cibulka, associate dean of education at the University of Maryland, as the new dean of the UK College of Education.

''Dr. Cibulka has strong aspirations for the college and a vision that I think will help it grow,'' UK Acting Provost Michael Nietzel told board members when he introduced the new dean.

Cibulka replaces Shirley C. Raines, who accepted the presidency at the University of Memphis last year. Cibulka will officially resume his new responsibilities as dean July 1, 2002. Until then, the College of Education continues to operate under the leadership of its former dean, Edgar L. Sagan.

A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Cibulka graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in government. He earned a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Chicago in 1973, with an emphasis on education policy and political science.

After college, Cibulka began his career as a teacher and administrator in the Model City Community Schools Program in Duluth, Minn. From 1972 through 1995, he was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During that time, he established the Department of Community Education at Wisconsin which focused on urban and community development.

From 1992 to 1995, he was editor of "Education Administration Quarterly," the premier journal in the field. He has numerous publications to his credit, including eight books, three of which are in press, on subjects ranging from school accountability to governance and public confidence.

At the University of Maryland, Cibulka served as chair of the Department of Educational Policy and Planning until his promotion to associate dean, where he has been instrumental in expanding the college's funded research and its outreach to school systems and the state.

"It is an honor to join the University of Kentucky," Cibulka said. "I am impressed with the college's talented faculty, its many fine programs, and its leadership in Kentucky education."

The new dean said he looks forward to the opportunity to work with the college faculty and campus administration.

"It is my hope that, working together, we will enhance UK's national prominence as a leading college of education and build on its excellent record of service to the state," he said. "This is an exciting time and place to dean. Expectations and opportunities have never been higher."

Cibulka is married to Margaret Nielsen Doscher. They have a son, Gregory, and a daughter, Julia.

In other action, the UK Board of Trustees conferred posthumously the title of Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs Emeritus on Daniel C. Seaver. Seaver served 29 years in the UK student affairs and admissions office until his recent death. He began his career as director of admissions and student affairs at the former Lexington Technical Institute in 1973 (now Lexington Community College). From 1986, he was responsible for admissions and academic and student affairs in the College of Dentistry. He was a memr of many state, local and national organizations that were advocates for student services.