Jill Hamm Named Dean of UNC School of Education

Jill Hamm, who has been serving as the interim dean of the UNC School of Education since last May, was named the school’s permanent dean Friday by chancellor Lee Roberts and provost Chris Clemens.

“During her interim tenure, Jill has been an exceptional leader,” read an email to the UNC community from Roberts and Clemens, “helping to maintain the health of the school, its programs and research enterprise while advancing the school’s commitment to educator preparation, innovation and community engagement.”

Hamm has worked at UNC since 1999 and was named the William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education in 2018. From 2017 to 2024, Hamm was the university’s inaugural dean for research and faculty development, growing the School of Education’s annual research expenditures from $6.2 million in 2016 to $25 million in 2024.

“I am honored to lead the UNC School of Education,” read a statement from Hamm. “Having been a faculty member at Carolina for 25 years, I have seen the school grow exponentially and am proud to have been part of the leadership team that fostered that growth. But there is more work to be done, and I’m excited to lead the school and our exceptional faculty, staff and students in that work to realize the transformative power of education.”

Hamm had been serving as the School of Education’s interim dean following the departure of Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, who left UNC last spring.

Featured image via UNC-Chapel Hill

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Jill Hamm Named Dean of UNC School of Education

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