Lemuel Watson, the new college of education dean, will lead NIU’s group of strong future educators.

His path to this position began many years ago.

Watson was teaching graduate programs at Clemson University when one of

his students told him about an opening at NIU.

Intrigued, Watson looked further into the opening position, which was the department chair of counseling, adult and higher education.

“It had everything in my background,” Watson said.

Since his arrival in DeKalb six years ago, Watson has earned the promotion to dean of the college of education, filling the position former dean Christine Sorensen vacated this summer.

As dean, Watson’s primary responsibility is to make sure the college is running “as best as possible” in terms of personnel and budget. In addition, he is also the public face of the college.

“As an administrator, and as a new dean particularly, he’ll be bringing a new vision to the college,” said Norman Stahl, chair of the literacy education department. “He’s very open on where he wants go.”

Before becoming dean, Watson served as the acting associate dean of the college. The position also allowed Watson to be a part of a “strategic planning initiative” that is spanning the university, Stahl said.

Watson said the faculty and the administration were supportive of him becoming dean. Shortly after Sorensen announced her leave, the search began for a replacement.

“But then they said, ‘Why do a national search when we have somebody right here, somebody who knows us and our college well?'” said Watson. “They came to me and I said yes.”

Gene Roth, interim chair of counseling, adult, and higher education, described Watson as being pro-faculty in his administrative roles.

“He was and still is an advocate for the faculty. He deeply cares for the people within the department, and now the college, so I think that’s a good strength of his,” Roth said.

As the new dean, Watson promises the college will continue to move forward.

“We will continue to be involved on a state and national level in education,” Watson said. “And we will keep working with both state and national organizations on education.”

Watson’s career began at Indiana University. Shortly after earning his doctorate, Watson began teaching at Illinois State University. He worked as a community college dean until finally proceeding to Clemson University.