UL Lafayette appoints new dean of the College of Education

Dr. Nathan Roberts has been named dean of the College of Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

His appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2016, pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

“Dr. Roberts served the College incredibly well as interim dean over the past year and half and as a faculty member before that. His engagement during the interview process only strengthened my admiration for Dr. Roberts, and I look forward to his leadership over the coming years,” said Dr. Jim Henderson, UL Lafayette’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, in a message sent to faculty to announce the appointment.

Roberts is the Mr. and Mrs. E. P. “Pat” Nalley/BORSF Endowed Professor in Education.

He holds a law degree from Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU and a doctorate in educational leadership, research and counseling from LSU.

His areas of expertise include education law and special education law, K-12 education, student rights, teacher rights, and school policies.

Roberts is a former school board attorney who has taught masters and doctoral courses in school law, organizing the learning environment, and legal liability in tourism, sports and recreation.

His research focuses on legal issues that affect educational leaders. He was chair of the educational leadership program redesign for the College of Education.

Since 2009, Roberts has coedited three books, written many book chapters and refereed journal articles, and conducted numerous national, regional and local presentations.

He replaces Dr. Gerald Carlson, who retired in 2014 after 13 years in that position and a 30-year career at the university.