College of Education
1920s
The first degrees were conferred to women at NC State. The recipients were Jane McKimmon, BS in business administration; Charlotte Nelson, BS in education; and Mary Elizabeth Yarbrough, MS in chemistry. Yarbrough was the first woman to graduate who completed all coursework while at NC State, and she was the first woman to earn a master's degree at NC State.
Mary Yarborough portrait photo, 1953Lillian P. Wallace became the first woman to earn a master's degree in education. She later published several historical works on politics in Europe.
1940s
Department of Industrial and Rural Recreation was established in the School of Education.
James Kirkland was the first dean of the reconstituted School of Education and served in the position until 1969.
J. Bryant Kirkland at desk1950s
The School of Education (now College of Education) proposed the establishment of a undergraduate program with a focus on “Special Education” for educators working with schoolchildren with physical and mental disabilities.
James "Jim" B. Hunt Jr. graduated. He later earned a MS in 1962. He became the 69th (1977-1985) and 71st (1993-2001) governor of North Carolina, making him the state's longest serving chief executive.
1960s
Inez Ray began the Curriculum Materials Center, later renamed the Learning Resources Library and then the College of Education Media Center.
The Center for Occupational Education was established and became one of two such centers nationwide.
Doris King became the third woman to serve as a full professor and taught courses in history and education.
The Department of Recreation and Park Administration was transferred from the School of Education to the School of Forest Resources.
He served in the position until 1988.
Dean Carl J. Dolce portrait1970s
A bachelor's degree in social work was first offered, and the social work program joined the School of Education.
1980s
Eight of the university's academic schools were designated as colleges.
The School of Education became the College of Education and Psychology.
Thayer served as interim dean until 1989.
She served in the position until 2000.
Dean Joan J. Michael1990s
Barbara Parramore became the first woman faculty member to receive the Holladay Medal for Excellence.
June Atkinson was awarded a Doctor of Education degree. She later became the first woman to serve as North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Carl Harris was awarded a Doctor of Education degree. He later became the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Policy and Strategic Initiatives.
2000s
She served in the position until 2009.
The Department of Psychology was transferred from the College of Education, formerly the College of Education and Psychology, to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Puerto Rican Jose Picart was appointed Vice Provost for Diversity and African-American Affairs as well as professor in the Department of Counselor Education. Jose Picart later served as interim dean for the College of Education from 2009 to 2010.
José Picart, Vice Provost for Diversity and African American Affairs, talking with other manThe William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation moved into its new facility in November 2005. It was established in 2003.
Friday InstituteKatie Gimbar graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics education. She later implemented a program that replaced classroom lectures with more interactive activities that she developed at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.
The Department of Elementary Education was established within the College of Education.
2010s
She served in the position until 2015.
Mary Ann Danowitz was named dean of the College of Education. She previously served as interim dean in 2015.
