Tong named interim EPSY department head

Dr. Fuhui Tong, professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, will serve as interim head of the department while a national search is conducted for a new department head.

Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke is vacating her position as department head to serve as dean of the College of Education at Baylor University, effective July 1.

Tong is serving as interim in a department that is working to expand to help meet the needs of the community and the state of Texas. The department is nationally recognized and houses multiple innovative research labs and clinics including the university-designated Center for Research and Development in Dual Language and Literacy Acquisition and the federally-designated Center on Disability and Development.

“During my interim, I will strive to continue supporting these excellent works that our faculty and staff are committed to, as well as the high-impact learning practices embedded in our undergraduate and graduate programs,” said Tong.

Tong received her Ph.D. from EPSY in 2006. After serving as a research associate, she was hired as an assistant professor in 2007. Tong is currently associate director of the Center for Research and Development on Dual Language and Literacy Acquisition, coordinator of the bilingual education/ESL Ph.D. program and division chair of the bilingual/ESL education programs.

Tong has authored or co-authored 19 funded external awards totaling more than $64 million. She has also contributed to six funded internal awards.

While she will be focusing on the research happening in the department during her time as interim department head, she will also work to ensure the climate of the department remains a positive one.

“Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, respect and fairness is a continued priority. I will make myself available the best I can to our faculty and staff to address these issues,” said Tong. “I will also work collaboratively with other department heads in the college to continue open communication across departments.”