Dear LMU Community:
I am pleased to share that Estela Zarate, Ph.D., will be the next dean of the LMU School of Education, effective July 8, 2024. Dean Zarate is a nationally recognized leader in higher education, and her commitment to student success, anti-racism, equity, and civic engagement embodies our mission and vision for the future.
Dean Zarate is currently a Senior Faculty Fellow at the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP). She has served in leadership roles that include vice provost of Academic Affairs and coordinator of the Master of Science in education administration and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) programs for six years in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Throughout her career, Dean Zarate has led strategic planning and implementation, program redesign, partnership cultivation, external funding efforts, and faculty and staff recruitment efforts at multiple institutions.
Dean Zarate’s scholarship addresses the trajectory of immigrant students in U.S. schools, including the connections between schools and families and the experiences of multilingual learners. She co-edited a volume on educational interventions for migrant students and has written about and developed professional learning opportunities to improve teaching for first-generation college students.
In her current role at UTEP, Dean Zarate is participating in national conversations about policy and research strategies to transform higher education to serve today’s students. She is leading strategic planning for the institute, developing a national network of higher education scholars for future collaborations and partnerships, and contributing to research on increasing participation in STEM careers.
Dean Zarate earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematical economic analysis from Rice University and a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. With nearly two decades of experience as a faculty member at CSUF, UC Irvine, and other institutions of higher education, her pedagogical expertise enables her to lead with vision, empathy, and a commitment to academic excellence.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Dean Zarate takes full advantage of living in L.A. by hiking with her dog, especially on clear mornings after a rainy night. Sometimes the beach summons her, where she enjoys biking with her family. She also likes traveling, exploring new places, and visiting old friends.
I thank our search committee (listed below), chaired by David Sapp, vice provost for Academic Affairs and dean of Graduate Education, for conducting a comprehensive process that yielded an outstanding candidate pool. Their commitment to excellence, professionalism, and attention to detail provided me with invaluable insights during the decision-making process.
I extend my deepest thanks to Interim Dean Roosevelt Shelton for his unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership of LMU SOE as we searched for a permanent dean and appreciate his willingness to see us through the transition period.
I am confident that we have selected a wonderful leader, and I look forward to our collaboration. Dean Zarate’s wealth of experience and dedication to supporting underrepresented students demonstrates her understanding of the cura personalis and her resonance with our Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount values. Please join me in congratulating Estela and welcoming her to the LMU Lion family!
With enthusiasm and gratitude,
Thomas Poon, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Professor of Chemistry
Search Committee
Dean, LMU School of Education
Chair
David Sapp, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Education
Members
Terese C. Aceves, Professor and Co-director of Specialized Programs in Professional Psychology
Kathleen Ash, Associate Vice President of Advancement Administration
Dolores Delgado Bernal, Professor of Educational Leadership and Administration
Tony Digiovanni, LMU Regent
Keisha Chin Goosby, Clinical Assistant Professor & Director of Intern Credentialing Program
Ernesto Colín, Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning
Deb Glenn, Director of Communications, School of Education
Annette Hernandez, Clinical Associate Professor & Senior Director, Center for Undergraduate Teacher Preparation (CUTP)
Patrick Hogan, Vice President for Financial Planning & Budgets and Strategic Transactions
Dorian Llywelyn, S.J., Director of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality
William D. Parham, Professor of Specialized Programs in Professional Psychology
William Perez, Professor of Educational Leadership and Administration
Claudio Rodriguez, Director of Chicano-x Latino-x Student Services
Martinique Starnes, Chair of the SOE Alumni Board
Kyo Yamashiro, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Administration
Star Taylor, Ed.D. ‘25
Ex Officio
Nancy Pluzdrak, Vice President for Human Resources
Trevor Wiseman, Vice President for Operations