Deborah Voltz, Ed.D., professor of curriculum and instruction and director of the UAB Center for Urban Education, has been tapped to be dean of the School of Education in UAB's College of Arts and Sciences effective Jan. 1.

"Debbie Voltz is uniquely qualified for this position given her tremendous experience as a teacher, researcher and administrator, as well as for her talent for preparing effective grant proposals," said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Thomas DiLorenzo. "As a full professor with strong ties to the education community, she is positioned to leverage all of her talents and strong connections for the benefit of UAB faculty, staff and students, and also the Birmingham City School System and the state."

Voltz, who will report to DiLorenzo, will continue to direct the Center for Urban Education. She also will be a member of the newly constituted UAB Deans' Council, said Provost Eli Capilouto.

"Dr. Voltz is passionate about education scholarship and research, and deeply committed to community outreach and service," Capilouto said, noting that Voltz is the first African-American academic dean in UAB's only-42-year history as an autonomous university.

"Debbie's commitment to interdisciplinary research and scholarship make her someone who can lead a strategically positioned  School of Education in collaborative efforts with the rest of the college and the university," Capilouto said.