Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

April 2, 2004

Gmelch to leave Iowa State this summer

by Annette Hacker
Walt Gmelch, who has served as dean of the College of Education since 1998, will become dean of the University of San Francisco's school of education in August. Gmelch made the announcement March 24.

USF is a private, Jesuit Catholic university with a student body of 8,000. It is the city's oldest university and consistently ranks among the most ethnically diverse universities in the country.

"Dean Gmelch has provided exceptional leadership for the College of Education," said Ben Allen, vice president for academic affairs and provost. "He has left a legacy here of which we can be very proud. Walt's departure will be a loss for ISU and the state of Iowa."

Allen said he will appoint an interim dean early this summer.

Under Gmelch's leadership, the College of Education has advanced in national stature, increased significantly in scholarly productivity and research funding, and has strengthened its commitment to diversity and international education. Gmelch also co-directs the University Council for Educational Administration's national Center for Academic Leadership at Iowa State.

He cited a desire to return to family in San Francisco as a key factor in his decision to leave Iowa State. Gmelch and his wife, Paula, program coordinator for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, both have family in the Bay area. Gmelch grew up in San Mateo, Calif., and earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from California schools.

"Our decision is based on family and roots," Gmelch said. "The years I have spent at Iowa State have been the very best of my career, especially the last couple of years working with President Geoffroy, Provost Allen and a stellar college leadership team. But Paula and I came here six years ago knowing we'd someday return to the West.

"USF's core values of access, equity and social justice in an urban educational setting are critical to me and what I'd like to do with my career. This is the last move I'd like to make."

Gmelch emphasized that his decision to join USF is not related to the proposed combination of the Education and Family and Consumer Sciences colleges. He said he became involved in the USF search several months before the college combination was recommended.

However, Gmelch expressed deep frustration over the last four years of state budget cuts and what he sees as a loss of commitment within Iowa to both K-12 and higher education.