STEPHENVILLE — Dr. Lesley Leach has been named Dean of Tarleton State University’s College of Education, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Currently Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development, Dr. Leach has earned increasing levels of responsibilities at Tarleton State since beginning her time at the university in 2012 as an Adjunct Instructor. In addition to her teaching duties, some of her other roles at Tarleton have included serving as Coordinator for the Ed.D. in educational leadership program, as a Department Head and as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation.
Since 2020, she has led the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE), providing faculty support in instructional design and course development, community-engaged learning, and experiential learning. She has played a key part in the strategic planning process for the CEE team.
“With over 10 years of administrative experience, Dr. Leach will be a thoughtful and impactful leader for our College of Education,” said Dr. Diane Stearns, Tarleton State Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Her impressive ability to work with faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders to achieve goals makes her a strong fit for this opportunity.”
Dr. Leach, a former elementary school teacher, is a 1997 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in applied learning and development. She earned her master’s in computer education and cognitive systems along with her doctorate in educational research from the University of North Texas. She is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.
Since 2023, she has served as the program chair and president-elect for the Southwest Educational Research Association. Additionally, she is an associate editor for the International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches and sits on the editorial board for the international, peer-reviewed Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice. In 2021, she earned the Crystal Apple Society Award from Tarleton State’s College of Education.
During her career, she has helped secure seven grants totaling over $3 million in funding.
“I look forward to working alongside our exceptional faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Leach. “Together, we will build on the college’s strong foundation, advancing innovative practices and fostering partnerships that will benefit both the university and the communities we serve.”
For more information on Tarleton State’s College of Education, visit www.tarleton.edu/coe/.
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