Soman named dean of College of Education 

Provost Maria Cimitile has named Sherril Soman dean of the College of Education. Soman had been serving as interim dean since July 2018.

"Dr. Soman has built solid relationships with, and garnered the support and trust of faculty and staff within the College of Education in the time she has served as interim dean," said Cimitile. "Dr. Soman continues to move the college forward at a challenging time for postsecondary education and embraces new opportunities in the ever-changing field of teacher preparation."

Soman has served in a number of leadership roles at the university, including associate vice president for Enrollment Development and university registrar, director of Financial Aid, interim assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, and interim associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

She has extensive expertise in curriculum development, assessment and strategic planning and served on the university Assurance Argument Leadership Committee in preparation for the Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation visit that took place in fall 2018.

Soman joined Grand Valley's Chemistry Department in 2000. She earned a doctorate in chemistry from Purdue University and is a chemistry educator by training, co-leading recertification of the chemistry major by the Michigan Department of Education.