Henrietta Williams Pichon, associate dean in the New Mexico State University College of Education, will become the college’s next interim dean beginning Sept. 1. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)Susan Brown, who has been serving as interim dean of the College of Education at New Mexico State University for the past two years, will transition to a new position Sept. 1, when she assumes the role of senior academic administrator, NMSU Provost Carol Parker announced today.

Parker said Henrietta Williams Pichon, associate dean in the College of Education, will succeed Brown as interim dean. A national search will be conducted as soon as feasible to find a permanent dean for the college.

As interim dean, Brown accomplished much, most recently leading the college through challenging times, overseeing the unexpected and numerous pedagogical and telework adaptations necessitated by the college’s swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parker said.

In Brown’s 25-plus years as a faculty member, she has obtained more than $23 million in contracts and grants, and establishing successful research centers such as the STEM Outreach Center, which she directed for many years, and most recently a new autism diagnostic clinic, all of which have had positive impacts on the K-12 educational system in New Mexico. Before becoming interim dean, Brown was a research professor and director of the STEM Outreach Center.

Parker praised Brown’s dedication and commitment to NMSU and the College of Education.

“Susan has always worked tirelessly on behalf of the college and did not hesitate to step up to the plate when the college needed leadership and she was asked to serve as interim dean. I am exceedingly grateful for her service,” Parker said.