Wayne State University has named Russell Douglas Whitman as dean of its College of Education. Whitman had served as interim dean since May 2014.

During his tenure as interim dean, Whitman revamped the college’s programming, recruitment and outreach efforts as well as its focus on student retention. Other accomplishments under his leadership include significant growth in research and grants, launching the TeachDETROIT initiative to train teachers to work in Detroit Public Schools and several new community partnerships.

“I am deeply touched by the degree of support the college has shown, and to Provost Winters in this appointment,” said Whitman. “Further, I am honored to accept the position and move the college forward toward President Wilson’s goal to make Wayne State University ‘a pre-eminent, public, urban research university known for academic and research excellence, success across a diverse student body and meaningful engagement in its urban community.’”

Previously, Whitman served as professor and director of clinical training and as chair in the Department of Psychology at Wayne State. He has published two books and more than 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals. His early research focused on the genetic foundations of learning disabilities and, more recently, on asymmetrical, lateralized cognitive processing in personality disorders and in individuals evidencing high levels of creativity.  

Whitman received his bachelor of science in business administration and journalism from Syracuse University. Following that, he began graduate work in clinical psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and completed his Ph.D. in psychology from Brandeis University. Additionally, he is a prior recipient of the WSU Presidential Award for Extraordinary Service and the WSU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.