Jennifer Woolard Named Vice Dean of Faculty in College of Arts & Sciences
Jennifer Woolard, a professor of psychology and adjunct professor of law, has been named a vice dean of faculty affairs in the Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences. David Edelstein, who held the same position for six years, is refocusing on his academic roles as a professor in the Center for Security Studies and the Department of Government.
“I’m delighted to join the Office of the Dean,” said Woolard. “I look forward to working with Dean Ceballo and the rest of the team to promote the success and vitality of the faculty and departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. I know I have a lot to learn and hope to continue my work on strengthening and promoting well-being among faculty, staff and students.”
Woolard has taught at Georgetown since 2002. Her research and action laboratory, the Community Research Group, which is housed within the Department of Psychology, hosts a slew of research projects that study individuals, families and the ways they intersect with wider communities. Woolard has long advocated for more fair, effective and just legal processes.
Woolard has served as chair of the University Honor Council, chair of the Social Sciences IRB and a member of the College Curriculum Committee. She is co-chair of the College of Arts & Sciences’ Task Force on Purpose and Well Being, a recent recipient of the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the co-director of the Cura Georgetown initiative.
“Professor Woolard’s leadership record is deep and diverse, as she is a well-known and well-respected contributor to countless College and University efforts,” said Rosario Ceballo, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “The capacious energy she has demonstrated for leadership will be invaluable to the Office of the Dean and to the College of Arts & Sciences.”
David Edelstein
Edelstein, who holds appointments as a professor in the School of Foreign Service and in the Department of Government, has left an indelible mark on the College of Arts & Sciences.
“David has been a source of continuity and a model of steady and creative leadership through multiple decanal transitions, tremendous academic program growth and a global pandemic,” said Ceballo. “The College relied on him in countless ways and as a result, we often emerged with new tools and new strengths.“
During his tenure, Edelstein helped revise the constitution of the College of Arts & Sciences, which had not been updated since 1990. He helped form the College Rank and Tenure Committee, giving definition and clarity to the process. In recent years, Edelstein worked closely with members of the McCourt School’s leadership team to develop the recently-approved Joint Public Policy Program while supporting the growth of other areas of study, including Technology, Ethics and Society programs and the Medical Humanities Initiative.
“David has had a transformative impact on the Office of the Dean and the College of Arts & Sciences throughout the past six years,” said Andrew Sobanet. “David’s a great problem solver and always has good ideas to share. He has been an essential and steady presence for continuity during the transitions that we have had over the past few years. In short, he’s been a terrific colleague and we’ll all miss him in this office.”
–by Hayden Frye (C’17)