The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has hired Dr. Carleen Vande Zande as the new assistant vice chancellor for curricular affairs and student academic achievement, effective May 1, 2008. Dr. Vande Zande, currently co-chair of strategic planning and a professor in the School of Education at Marian College of Fond du Lac, has been selected to lead the university’s efforts for curriculum oversight and assessment of student learning. In her new assignment, Dr. Vande Zande will have responsibility for programs and initiatives dealing with general education, student learning assessment, curriculum planning and approval, issues related to student achievement and retention, program review and articulation agreements. Additionally, she will work with the Office of Institutional Research, the Center for Academic Resources and the Women’s Center.

“Dr. Vande Zande brings a wealth of experience in both curriculum development and assessment. She will provide strong leadership at this critical period at UW Oshkosh,” said Perry Rettig, associate vice chancellor for faculty and academic staff affairs.

Prior to coming to UW Oshkosh, Dr. Vande Zande held a variety of positions at Marian College including special assistant to the vice president for academic affairs, director of assessment, acting dean of graduate studies, and interim dean of the School of Education and associate dean of the School of Education. She served as department chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for eight years and was recently granted the rank of full professor in the School of Education. She is a consultant evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission for the PEAQ and AQIP evaluation processes. Dr. Vande Zande began her career in higher education at the UW System Administration Office of Academic Affairs as an administrative specialist working with the Undergraduate Teaching Improvement Council for five years.

Dr. Vande Zande taught foreign language at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the Beaver Dam Unified School District. She was awarded doctorate and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational policy from UW-Madison in 1985.