COE Welcomes Dean Steve Silverman

Dean Steve Silverman, Ed.D.


by Elliott | Wednesday, Jul 31, 2019

Stephen Silverman, Ed.D., begins as Dean of the College of Education  Aug. 1, 2019, following a national search in an announcement by Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D., FAU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Most recently Silverman served as Professor of Education and Senior Advisor to the Provost for Research Preparation at Columbia University’s Teachers College.  He also served the Teachers College for five years as chair of the Department of Biobehaviorial Sciences.

“He brings a wealth of experience in the areas of enhancing research infrastructure, developing strong graduate programs, working with accreditation bodies, and collaborating with faculty to promote student success,” stated Danilowicz.  “I look forward to working with Dean Silverman as we recruit new students, introduce pedagogical and research innovations, and engage our communities to improve educational quality throughout the South Florida region.”

As Dean, Silverman will oversee FAU’s COE, one of the most diverse in Florida’s State University System.  The COE prepares educators and educational professionals to serve six public school districts.  The College’s six departments offer degree programs at the bachelors, masters, specialist and doctoral levels, a variety of which are offered on three campuses.  The COE also includes five University public laboratory schools, as well as offices, centers and initiatives.

Silverman earned his Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, his M.S. from Washington State University and his B.S. from Temple University.  He began his career as a health and physical education teacher in the School District of Philadelphia.  Other positions he held during his tenure at Teachers College include Grant Coordinator for six years, and Physical Education and Teacher Education Coordinator for 18 years.  Prior to joining Teachers College in 1998, he held faculty positions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, The University of Texas at Austin and Louisiana State University.

Silverman’s research focuses on teaching and learning (motor skill and attitude) in physical education and on the methods for conducting research in field settings.  He has made more than 225 presentations to international, national and regional groups and has published more than 150 chapters and papers, including nearly 100 refereed research articles.  He is the co-author of 18 books related to teaching and research methods including “Proposals that Work: A Guide to Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals,” “Student Learning in Physical Education: Applying Research to Enhance Instruction,” “Reading and Understanding Research,” and “Research Methods in Physical Activity.”  He has served as editor-in-chief, has been a reviewer and a member of the editorial boards of numerous journals, as well as delivered a number of prestigious lectures.

The recipient of the first Exemplary Research Paper Award presented by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Special Interest Group on Research on Learning and Instruction in Physical Education, Silverman received the Curriculum and Instruction Academy Honor Award from the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Research Consortium.  He also was the recipient of the 2008 NASPE Presidential Award. Silverman has served as past chair, co-chair and national chair of several organizations.   He is a Fellow in the AAHPERD Research Consortium and an Active Fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology and is a past president of both organizations.  In 2010 he was named an AERA Fellow.

Expressing his excitement in joining faculty and staff as dean of the College of Education, Silverman said, “I am thrilled to join Florida Atlantic University and the College of Education to work with faculty to provide first-class undergraduate and graduate education, to expand our knowledge through our scholarship, and influence our fields through our professional service.”

©