MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT – GRACE M. MAY, PH.D
Dr. Grace May, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, is often faced with a busy day, filled with tasks specific to planning and organization. “My day usually includes multiple meetings that might involve students, faculty, university colleagues and administration, and professional colleagues from across the state. These meetings vary in terms of purpose, from problem solving to creative opportunities, and each one provides me with the opportunity to forward the mission and commitment of the college.” Despite her busy schedule, she finds her work truly rewarding. “My favorite part of the job, and by far the most rewarding, is bringing together the right people to make something exciting happen for our current students, prospective students, faculty, and/or the community. These moments of collaborative spirit are energizing and remind me of what makes our college and the University a special place.” Additionally, she shares, “I’m deeply interested in what we can do as individuals, but more importantly, as a collective, to further the lives of children, families, and communities. The essential connection between theory and practice, so evident in the work of our college, provides the foundation for this work.”
Dr. May is currently in her fourth year as Dean, but has served Seton Hall for over twenty-six years. Throughout the nearly three decades at the University, she has served in many roles, “During my time at Seton Hall I’ve served as the program director of Elementary/Special Education, as NCATE Accreditation Coordinator through our initial and continuing accreditation visits, as Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation and as Acting Dean.” Throughout her professional journey, she notes the importance of mentoring for personal growth and development. “I have been fortunate to have a number of mentors throughout my life. Each one saw more than I did for myself, at a moment in time, and they provided me with the encouragement and challenge to move forward. Here at Seton Hall, our former dean, Dr. Joseph De Pierro, was a significant influence on my development in higher education. Because I have benefitted so greatly from these individuals, I feel it is my obligation to pay it forward and deeply respect the role of mentoring.”
With a successful and rich professional career in the higher education sector, it is apparent that Dr. May has a passion for education and the educational environment. “If your heart and mind are excited by your field, you are able to weather the natural challenges that arise in any graduate path.” This passion started during the completion of a dual undergraduate degree in Psychology and History and the attainment of her master’s and doctorate in Human Development with a specialization in disability studies from the University of Pennsylvania. “Penn’s Graduate School of Education was well known for ethnographic research during my studies and I had the benefit of working with some excellent people. I find that I use the knowledge and skills gained from my studies on a daily basis in my role as dean. As a qualitative researcher, the ability to listen and consider context is essential, and the same is true for a dean.”