St. Thomas University has named Dr. Gloria Pelaez as the new dean for the college’s School of Arts and Education, where she will oversee the school’s undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in education as well as its programs in communication arts.
“Dr. Pelaez’s extensive resume, in particular in higher education, makes her ideally suited to lead a school that has seen enormous growth in the past two years through our online offerings,” said Provost and Chief Academic officer, Dr. Irma Becerra. “Her diverse administrative experience and academic training will help us further grow our programs, helping us enhance our long-standing tradition of producing exceptional educators and communications professionals.”
Pelaez previously served as director of the Office of Teacher Education Accreditation at the University of Miami and director of the School of Education at Miami-Dade College.
She was also a tenured faculty member and TESOL Department chair at Barry University and coordinator of TESOL programs and faculty at Florida Atlantic University, where she developed the first elementary education with ESOL endorsement program in the state of Florida.
“From producing alumni that include Miami-Dade County’s Teacher of the Year, to broadcasters working in local and national newsrooms, we are proud of the strength of the program we have offered for more than 50 years,” said STU president Monsignor Franklyn Casale. “I have no doubt that Dr. Pelaez will help us continue and grow this incredible legacy.”