The new dean of The Teachers College is an Emporia State alum with 25 years of experience as an educator and one who has become familiar with the job over the past year. Brent Thomas, provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced Dr. Sara Schwerdtfeger as the permanent dean following a nationwide search. Schwerdtfeger has served as interim dean of The Teachers College since May 2023.
“Throughout the national search process, Dr. Schwerdtfeger impressed us with her passion for building upon our foundations as the Kansas State Normal School and advancing The Teachers College into the future,” said Thomas. “She is deeply committed to Hornet Nation, and I look forward to working with her as she moves into the role of permanent dean in The Teachers College.”
Schwerdtfeger is a licensed teacher in the state of Kansas and has significant teaching experience. Her scholarship activity includes a wide array of published book contributions and articles and successfully funded grants. Most recently, Schwerdtfeger worked with other faculty members to secure the Fellowship for Accelerating to Student Teaching grants in 2021 and 2022.
“For over 160 years, Emporia State University has hosted a legacy of excellence in education. We strive to find new and innovative ways to support the ESU community through educational programs,” said Schwerdtfeger. “Working with faculty, students, staff and community partners will be the key to our success.”
Prior to serving as the interim dean, Schwerdtfeger served as associate dean where she led state and national accreditation for the college, acted as coordinator for the accountability management system, managed the University Copy Center and the Office of Field Placement and Licensure and served on General Education Council and other university committees.
As department chair for the Elementary Education/Early Childhood/Special Education program, Schwerdtfeger helped to develop and supervise the establishment of new programs including Masters in Elementary Education and Elementary Education Unified programs. She was also director of Elementary Education and led the Instructional Specialist STEM program.
Throughout her leadership roles at The Teachers College, Schwerdtfeger has not left the classroom behind as she both teaches undergraduate and graduate courses as well as supervising interns and advising graduate students.
Schwerdtfeger earned her bachelor of science in education and master of science degrees from Emporia State and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. She has endorsements in English as a Second Language from KSU and Building Leadership from ESU.
Before coming to Emporia State, Schwerdtfeger taught at Timmerman Elementary School, Lowther North Intermediate School and Riverside Elementary School in the Emporia area, and was a summer school teacher for USD 253.
“Emporia State University will continue as the keystone of education in Kansas and the nation,” said Schwerdtfeger. “I am honored to serve as the next dean of The Teachers College.”