Monika Williams Shealey, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, is mission-driven and committed to collaborative community uplifting. 

Her journey, dedication to social justice, and mission to uplift our community serves as an inspiration to us all. 

Shealey has embarked on her tenure as the first female dean in the storied history of the CEHD with a profound sense of purpose. 

Her enthusiasm for Temple University's mission and the pursuit of educational excellence within an urban context is palpable and infectious. 

"In my first 90 days (about 3 months) as the dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University, I've been energized by the incredible passion and dedication of our faculty, staff and students. But it's important to remember that the strength of any institution also lies in its alumni. Our alumni are a living testament to the impact of our education, and their continued engagement and support are vital to our college's success. Together, we will shape the future of education and empower the next generation of leaders," Shealey shared. 

 "Our college has a strong legacy of serving the city as it relates to producing teachers and educational leaders, counselors, psychologists, organizational leaders, and folks in human development working in community agencies and organizations. It's hard to go around the city and not meet a Temple grad," added Shealey.  

Shealey's passion for social justice in education is rooted in her undergraduate years. Initially pursuing a business major at the University of South Florida, her life's trajectory was forever altered in her sophomore year when she enrolled in a special education class. Here, she encountered the eye-opening story of the landmark Larry P. v. Riles case—a 

legal battle initiated by the families of five Black students in California who had been segregated and placed in special education classes based solely on a single IQ test.  

Shealey vividly recalls her outrage at these students' treatment, igniting a fervent desire to effect change within the education system. With unwavering resolve, she changed her major and committed herself to becoming an advocate for ensuring that all special education students have equal access to the general education curriculum. 

Her leadership style is deeply rooted in her experiences as an educator. "The roots of who I am as a leader come from my time as an educator," she reflects. "Even in my previous role as senior vice president, I educated my colleagues in the cabinet and our entire university community around diversity, equity and inclusion issues. That is a part of my responsibility as a leader, to always create that kind of climate and culture where we are all learning." Her collaborative spirit and dedication to fostering a culture of inclusivity are at the core of her leadership philosophy. 

Her early experiences as a special education teacher remain etched in her memory, where she often approached general education teachers, passionately advocating to support her assigned students and others in need without any diagnosis. This hands-on approach and unwavering dedication to students continue to define her professional journey. 

Shealey's commitment to educational excellence extends beyond academic achievements. She firmly believes in a holistic approach to student success, emphasizing the importance of attending to students' personal, social and emotional well-being. She recognizes that students' connections with faculty, staff and administrators are invaluable, shaping their life journeys. She is determined to preserve and enhance the culture of excellence that already thrives within the College of Education and Human Development. 

In addition to her role as dean, Shealey is a prolific researcher with a keen interest in exploring the intersection of urban and special education. She also investigates the experiences of traditionally marginalized groups in special education and Black women in leadership. Furthermore, she is Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), where she champions educator preparation programs at over 800 postsecondary institutions. 

Shealey's academic journey has seen her hold academic appointments at esteemed institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Florida International University in Miami; and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where she served as an associate dean. 

Her groundbreaking work began in 2013 when she became the first African-American dean of the College of Education at Rowan University. In 2019, she was called upon by President Ali Houshmand to lead the inaugural Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a pioneering initiative in the region to foster equitable outcomes for students, faculty and staff in higher education. 

Shealey's educational background is equally impressive. She holds a BA in specific learning disabilities and an MA in varying exceptionalities from the University of South Florida.  

Her dedication to learning continued with an EdS in reading and learning disabilities from the University of Miami, and culminated in a PhD in education from the University of 

Central Florida. 

Her unwavering commitment to social justice, dedication to educational excellence and collaborative leadership style are poised to leave an indelible mark on our college and community.