Pictured above: Dr. R. Anthony Rolle (left) will return to USF to serve as the future dean of the college of education. Dr. David Rosengrant has assumed his new role as St. Petersburg’s interim director of education.
Courtesy of University of Rhode Island and David Rosengrant
By Annalise Anderson
USF announced today that Dr. R. Anthony Rolle, a previous professor at the Tampa campus, has been appointed as the new dean of the College of Education.
USF recruited Rolle from his position at The University of Rhode Island, where he served as a tenured professor and dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies for four years. Prior to a leadership role with the University of Houston, he served as a professor and chairman in USF’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from 2010 to 2014.
Rolle earned his doctorate in education policy from Indiana University and has been recognized for his research in K-12 finance and policy. He has successfully supported initiatives focused on student access and success, faculty research, and community collaboration.
According to a message from Provost Ralph Wilcox, Rolle’s research and experience makes him “well-positioned to develop and guide the College of Education’s strategic way forward.”
Starting August 2, Rolle will replace Interim Dean Dr. Judith Ponticell, who has served in the position since July 2020.
The appointment of Dr. David Rosengrant as interim director of education for the St. Petersburg campus was also announced this week.
Rosengrant is an associate professor of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education at the St. Petersburg campus and helped to spearhead the campus’ STEM INQ lab program. He earned his doctorate in science education from Rutgers University and previously served as an associate professor of physics at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, where he was recognized for his work by the Georgia Science Teachers Association.
The interim director of education is active in both the College of Education and St. Petersburg Campus leadership teams. The position collaborates across all three USF campuses and oversees the operation of education programs at the St. Petersburg campus.
The position will also be integral to the development of the new USF Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence in STEM Education, an initiative to elevate science studies at the St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
Upon Rosengrant’s appointment, Dr. Brenda Walker stepped down from her position as St. Petersburg’s interim associate dean. Walker served in the position from 2019-2021, helping to oversee USF’s consolidation of all three campuses.Walker will return to her faculty position in Tampa as a tenured professor in the College of Education and will continue to coordinate the university’s new Call Me MISTER Program.
