DURANGO, Colo.—Fort Lewis College has selected Tiece M. Ruffin, Ph.D., as the new dean of the School of Education following a national search. Ruffin is a collaborative, value-driven higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience in educator preparation, accreditation, academic leadership, and community-engaged scholarship.
“Dr. Ruffin’s experience addressing teacher shortages, strengthening partnerships, and preparing educators to serve rural, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities will serve our students and faculty well,” said FLC Provost Mario Martinez. “Her expertise in accreditation, assessment, compliance, academic innovation, and vision-setting will be key to the continued success of the School of Education.”
A first-generation college graduate and a former Fulbright Scholar, Ruffin has served at the University of North Carolina Ashville for 16 years, most recently as chair of the Department of Education, where she leads the Educator Preparation Academic Unit. In this role, she oversees undergraduate licensure programs; manages accreditation and state licensure processes; develops assessment systems; supervises faculty and staff; manages budgets; and cultivates external partnerships with regional school districts.
She previously served as Director of Africana Studies, where she focused on curriculum development, fundraising, and community engagement. Her professional foundation as a special educator and reading specialist continues to inform her leadership, grounding her work in the realities of schools and communities. Through teaching, scholarship, leadership, and service, she works to remove systemic barriers, cultivate inclusive academic spaces, and champion the success and humanity of students from all backgrounds.
"I am honored to join Fort Lewis College, where the commitment to student-centered, experiential learning and community engagement aligns with my background in educator preparation, advancing equity-focused programs, and fostering strong partnerships between schools, universities, and communities,” Ruffin said. “I am excited to work at a campus that intentionally designs learning experiences connecting students to culture, environment, and community.
“I am particularly eager to support the School of Education’s innovative undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs, as well as its undergraduate adventure education program, which combines classroom learning with outdoor experiences to transform lives. I look forward to contributing to a School of Education that prepares educators and leaders to lead with courage, care, and a strong sense of responsibility to the communities and environments they serve."
Ruffin’s leadership portfolio includes extensive experience with accreditation, assessment, and compliance, including Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) reporting and continuous improvement systems. As department chair and licensure officer, she led major curriculum redesigns, guided institutional responses to state literacy mandates, and supported program quality amid enrollment declines, faculty shortages, budget constraints, and external disruptions, while maintaining high academic standards and a culture of care and accountability.
Ruffin has led and participated in grant-funded educational initiatives in Ghana, Malawi, El Salvador, and Colombia, supported by the U.S. Department of State and other organizations. Her work emphasizes place-based, experiential, and globally informed education grounded in cultural humility and reciprocal partnerships.
Fort Lewis College’s School of Education boasts a highly qualified faculty and staff who connect students to innovative theories and practices, strong field placements, and culturally rich perspectives. Teacher Education programs include more than 150 graduate students across five masters’ programs and more than 200 undergraduate students in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary K-12 majors. Adventure Education programs enroll more than 200 undergraduate students from across the United States.
As dean, Ruffin will lead the School of Education in ways that leverage campus resources and external partnerships, highlighting the Four Corners region’s sense of place to enhance transformational programs. Key priorities include strengthening partnerships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, expanding English Language Learner programming, and advancing community responsive initiatives.