Bill Heller, a prominent figure of the university for 24 years is stepping down as dean of the College of Education at the end of the fall semester.

But Heller, 81, isn’t leaving the university just yet. Instead, he will focus his efforts on the Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership and Civic Engagement.

“Bill is USFSP,” said Martin Tadlock, the regional vice chancellor of academic affairs. “He will still be around. Students will see him, continue to learn from him. He will still be a part of this community; he is just assuming new responsibilities.”

Talk of Heller stepping down was in progress before Tadlock came to campus, four weeks before the fall semester. The end of the year will mark the end of Heller’s five-year term as dean.

Foundational Figure: Bill Heller (fourth from the right) is the current dean of the College of Education. There will be an award ceremony held in the Jeanne and Bill Heller Scholars’ Lounge in the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library on Monday, Sept 12 to honor 2016 American Graduate Champion.
Foundational Figure: Bill Heller (fourth from the right) is the current dean of the College of Education. There will be an award ceremony held in the Jeanne and Bill Heller Scholars’ Lounge in the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library on Monday, Sept 12 to honor 2016 American Graduate Champion.

Olivia Hodges,the associate dean at the College of Education,  will become the interim dean until a new candidate is selected. Tadlock doesn’t expect the process to be completed until after February.

Heller came to USF in 1992 as dean and executive officer of the St. Petersburg campus, which grew and flourished under his leadership.

He pushed to make the campus, then limited to upperclassmen, a four-year institution and helped begin the campaign to win academic accreditation separate from the Tampa campus.

But in 2002 he suddenly resigned his post at the request of USF President Judy Genshaft – a move that upset many people on campus and in the community – and returned to teaching.

In an interview with student journalists last spring, Heller noted that many of his goals for the campus – including separate accreditation, a four-year program and residence halls – have come to fruition.

He said he respected Genshaft’s decision and considers her a good president and friend.

In 2006, Heller won a seat in the state House of Representatives. He served two terms as a Democrat but was defeated for re-election in 2010 at the height of the tea party movement.

He became director of the Bishop Center that same year and dean of the College of Education in 2012.  

Heller and his wife, Jeanne, a retired elementary school librarian, have made donations to many campus programs. The university administration hopes Heller’s community connections will help him expand the reach of the Bishop Center, Tadlock said.

“Students really should thank Bill for all that he’s done for this campus and the community,” said Tadlock.

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