María Scharrón-del Río has been appointed the new dean of the School of Education at Brooklyn College. A professor in the School Psychology, Counseling, and Leadership Department, Scharrón-del Río (who uses the pronoun they) previously served as interim dean of the School of Education. “Dean Scharrón-del Río is an exceptional leader and mentor. They bring deep expertise in developing multicultural competencies in counselors, psychologists, and educators to this role,” says Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson. “Under their stewardship, our School of Education—along with its students and faculty—will thrive.” A member of the Brooklyn College community since 2006, Scharrón-del Río worked on the original accreditation of the school counseling graduate program. In 2019, they were appointed associate dean, assisting the school in transitioning to a new accrediting body, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. “As former dean of the School of Education myself, I can think of no one better to lead the school,” says Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs April Bedford. “María has not only a depth and breadth of knowledge of the school’s history and accomplishments but also an unwavering commitment to the success of its students, staff, and faculty. I am confident that Dean Scharrón-del Río will unite all members of our community to create a shared vision for the future of the school.” “As a queer, genderqueer, Puerto Rican counselor and educator, long committed to diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of marginalized communities, I look forward to continuing to foster systemic and cultural change at the School of Education from the leadership position of dean,” says Scharrón-del Río. As dean, Scharrón-del Río will champion the pursuit of knowledge from different perspectives and approaches. “A holistic, epistemological, and intersectional approach enables students to develop the inquiry skills essential in grasping the complexity, diversity, and multidimensionality of our realities as human beings as well as the empathy skills that foster solidarity and healing.” A predoctoral Ford Foundation and American Psychological Association’s Minority Fellowship Program fellow, Scharrón-del Río received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. They completed a clinical internship at the Harvard Medical School and later worked as an assistant child psychologist at the Washington Heights Family Health Center, a primary care clinic that serves a predominantly Latin immigrant community in New York City. After coming to Brooklyn College, Scharrón-del Río received the 2017 Claire Tow Distinguished Teacher Award. They are an active leader in GLARE (GLBTQ Advocacy in Research and Education). Brooklyn College’s School of Education is one of the most comprehensive teacher preparation programs in New York City. The school represents a network of scholars who not only teach inside the classroom but who enable students to take advantage of innovative partnerships throughout the metropolitan area and with national organizations.
