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Candidate Information and Open Forums

We are pleased to announce the final candidates for the Dean of the College of Education. Open forums for the candidates will be January 27, 29, 30 and February 3 at 3:00 p.m. in the Circus Room. The campus community is invited to attend the forums. Candidate information will be released approximately 24 hours before the candidate visit.

headshot of Sharon Subreenduth

Dr. Sharon Subreenduth

Open Forum: January 27 at 3:00 p.m., Circus Room

Dr. Sharon Subreenduth is an interdisciplinary scholar and leader dedicated to fostering inclusive Communities of Practice (COPs) that address societal challenges in educational contexts. Her work critically examines anti-oppressive schooling, curriculum, pedagogy, policy, and identity through an intersectional lens, emphasizing equity, access, diversity, and belonging. By leveraging COPs as transformative spaces, she promotes ethical and socially responsible inquiry that generates equitable, assets-based solutions. Throughout her career as a scholar, educator, and administrator, Subreenduth has remained steadfast in her commitment to fostering inclusive and ethical educational environments.

With over 30 years of international experience in research, teaching, and cultural programming across 45 countries, Sharon Subreenduth has excelled in leadership roles, including Associate Dean at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and most recently as Dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University. Her scholarly contributions span prominent journals such as Race, Ethnicity and Education and Educational Studies, alongside co-editing the highly regarded journal Education Studies. Subreenduth has delivered workshops, curriculum initiatives, and presentations worldwide, advancing educational equity through strategic collaborations and transformative leadership. Her interdisciplinary work reflects a lifelong dedication to empowering diverse communities and driving systemic change.

Dr. Sharon Subreenduth CV

Evaluation for Dr. Sharon Subreenduth

Evaluation form will close at 4:30 p.m. on January 30. 

headshot of Bryan Zugelder

Dr. Bryan Zugelder 

Open Forum: January 29 at 3:00 p.m., Circus Room


Dr. Bryan Zugelder has served as the Associate Dean for Academic Excellence, Research, Innovation & Policy in the College of Education at James Madison University since 2019. He has held the roles of Executive Director for Undergraduate Affairs & Partnerships at the University of Central Florida and Director of Teacher Preparation and Development for the University of North Carolina System. At JMU, Dr. Zugelder spearheaded initiatives that transformed the College of Education into the university's highest-funded college in external grants, securing over $33 million in funding within four years. His efforts included creating frameworks to advance faculty and student research and leading projects as Principal Investigator on grants exceeding $20 million. Dr. Zugelder’s innovative leadership has shaped key initiatives, including the establishment of the JMU Lab School for Innovation and Career Exploration, connecting the university with local schools and industry partners.

Dr. Zugelder’s academic contributions include 21 peer-reviewed publications, over $44 million in external funding, and extensive service on committees and in teaching roles. He holds an EdD in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, MS in Educational Leadership and Administration from Florida State University, and a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Bryan Zugelder CV

Evaluation for Dr. Zugelder

Evaluation form will close at 4:30 p.m. on February 3. 

headshot of Dr. Colleen Mulholland

Dr. Colleen Mulholland

Open Forum: January 30 at 3:00 p.m., Circus Room

Colleen Mulholland serves as dean of the College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), providing leadership for approximately 1600 students and over 70 faculty and staff. Prior to UNI, she was a faculty member and rose to interim dean in her 10 years in the School of Education at the University of Indianapolis.

Dr. Mulholland holds a bachelor's degree in middle school education from the University of Kentucky, where she was a student-athlete, and both her masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Central Florida. A former nationally board certified teacher in English language arts, she taught for 10 years in Osecola and Orange (Florida) Public Schools prior to her higher education career. Her research interests include adolescent literacy, the literacy of leadership, and pathways of access to the teaching profession.

She’s a wife, daughter, sister, friend and most importantly to her, she’s the mom of two elementary aged daughters.

Dr. Colleen Mulholland CV

Evaluation for Dr. Mulholland

Evaluation form will close at 4:30 p.m. on February 4. 

Candidate 4

Open Forum: February 3 at 3:00 p.m., Circus Room