New dean for School of Education

Jeff Passe began his tenure as dean of the School of Education on July 1, 2013.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

Dean of the School of Education Jeff Passe is the leader of a major research project that reports on the status of social studies in the United States.

Jeff Passe began his tenure as dean of the School of Education on July 1, 2013. Passe came to TCNJ from Towson University, where he served as chair of the Department of Secondary Education and coordinator of elementary and secondary MEd programs. He has also held faculty leadership positions at the University of North Carolina–Charlotte. He holds advanced degrees from the University of Florida (MEd, elementary education, and PhD, curriculum and instruction).

“It was easy to accept the appointment as dean of the School of Education because the faculty and programs are already so strong,” Passe said. “I see my job as helping the School of Education get to the next level.”

A successful scholar, Passe’s publications include articles on teaching and learning social studies, restoring the relevance of social studies through an emerging collaborative research model, and why teachers choose to teach in middle grades; book chapters on the topics of social justice education, digital geography for issue-based instruction, and interdisciplinary approaches to social issues; and a book on elementary school curriculum. He is the leader of a major research project that reports on the status of social studies in the United States, the results of which will be reported in a forthcoming book from Information Age Publishing. He has also served as president of the National Council for Social Studies and is the author of three elementary-level social studies textbooks.

“We were thrilled to attract such an outstanding educator, scholar, and leader to this position,” said Jacqueline Taylor, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “TCNJ is rightfully proud of our School of Education, and the pivotal role we play in preparing the next generation of teachers. It was clear when he interviewed that Jeff could ensure that our School of Education will remain a major voice in state and national conversations about providing top-quality schooling for all of our young people.”

Outside of academia, Passe’s interests lie in politics (especially environmental activism), attending concerts, folk music, sports, and nature.