School of Education Faculty and Leadership Transitions

Faculty Retirements

The UC Davis School of Education celebrates the careers and contributions of Profs. Kerry Enright and Lauren Lindstrom as they retire on July 1. Their commitment to advancing educational research, supporting students, and serving the profession has left an enduring mark on our community.

Kerry Enright dedicated 20 years of research, teaching, and service to UC Davis. Before joining the School of Education in 2006 as an assistant professor, she worked as a bilingual and English as a second language teacher and earned her M.A. in Language, Literacy, and Culture and Ph.D. in Educational Linguistics from Stanford University. Promoted to associate professor in 2012, Enright served as Director of Undergraduate Programs and held editorial board positions for Language Arts, Education Sciences, and TESOL Quarterly. She also led professional development initiatives for teachers, administrators, and district consultants. Her research explores how Latinx students use English and Spanish to develop language and literacy practices across classroom and work-study settings, as well as how speaking autistic children build relationships, communicate, and learn with trusted caregivers. Read more about Enright’s career.

Lauren Lindstrom joined UC Davis in 2017 as professor and dean of the School of Education and as a faculty affiliate of the MIND Institute. She earned her B.S. in Human Services, M.S. in Special Education, and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon, where she also served as a professor, associate dean of research, and director of the Center at Oregon for Research in Education. An internationally recognized scholar, Lindstrom serves as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Education at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa and as a Foreign Expert to Changchun University in China. Her research and program development efforts focus on improving career development opportunities and post-school outcomes for young adults with disabilities and other learning differences. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, she has advanced innovative school- and community-based programs that promote employment, access, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about Lindstrom’s career.

Leadership Transitions

As of July 1, 2026, Prof. Cynthia Passmore will begin her three-year term as Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction, and Prof. Kevin Gee will begin serving as Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs. Prof. Torry Winn has been re-appointed for another three year-term as Undergraduate Chair.

As of July 1, Dean Tom Smith will begin serving as interim dean of the Graduate School of Management during their ongoing search for a new dean following the retirement of Dean Rao Unnava. During this time, Smith will continue collaborating with School of Education faculty and staff on key initiatives, and Prof. Michael Kurlaender will serve as acting dean of the School of Education beginning September 15.