Noted California Educator Named New Dean of Education School
At Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus

Brooklyn, N.Y. – J. David Ramirez of Long Beach, California, has been appointed dean of the School of Education at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, effective September 1, 2003.

Dr. Ramirez, a nationally recognized educational leader and the former principal investigator of the Ramirez Study (the most often cited longitudinal study on bilingual education in the U.S. and the first national study of its kind), is an active agent of reform and a prolific researcher in the area of urban teacher education. Dr. Ramirez brings to the position his extensive experience in addressing a range of linguistic, racial, cultural, gender, socioeconomic, special needs and other dimensions of education in the U.S.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Kane, Long Island University’s vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Ramirez was chosen from a broad pool of highly qualified applicants after an intensive national search. "Dr. Ramirez has a deep appreciation for the philosophy and goals at the heart of the School of Education," he said. "The work that he has done is, in many respects, a reflection of Dr. Ramirez’ own most fundamental passion and commitments. I am certain that the School will continue to grow and prosper with his collegial leadership and shared vision."

Dr. Ramirez, who has initiated and implemented more than $20 million worth of local, state, regional, federal and international projects over the last decade, said, "What attracted me to Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus is the faculty’s commitment to urban education and keen understanding of their responsibility in preparing educators to address challenges we face in ensuring that every child is provided with a high quality education, with a clear focus on social justice." He added, "I was also very impressed by the quality and diversity of the students, who are a major strength of the university."

Provost Gale Stevens Haynes of the Brooklyn Campus said, "We are delighted to have such a renowned scholar and educator leading our dedicated education faculty." The School of Education is committed to training teachers for urban students.

Dr. Ramirez received his Ph.D. in Child Development at Stanford University, his M.S. in Educational Psychology at California State University, and his B.A. in Psychology from St. Mary’s College, California. He comes to Long Island University from California State University, Long Beach, where he has served for the past decade as the executive director and founder of the Center for Language Minority Education and Research, and Professor in the Departments of Educational Psychology and Teacher Education.

Prior to his appointment at California State University, Dr. Ramirez was an associate visiting research scientist in the Schools of Education and Public Policy at the University of Wisconsin and also worked in the California State Department of Education Offices of Evaluation and Research, Early Childhood Education, Child Development and Migrant Education.

Dr. Kane also thanked Dr. Cecelia Traugh for her service as acting dean of the school, saying, "Cecelia has kept the School of Education alive and vital for the past academic year with her strong sense of its philosophy and direction. Due to her efforts, the School of Education is well poised for yet another stage in its continued growth and development, and we deeply appreciate her hard work during this time of transition in its leadership."

Long Island University opened its Brooklyn Campus in 1926, welcoming a diverse population at a time when other major universities enforced quota systems against racial and ethnic minorities. Some 30,000 students currently are enrolled at the university’s three residential and three regional campuses, including more than 11,000 at the Brooklyn Campus.