Dear Members of the TC Community,

With appreciation for her dedication and many accomplishments at Teachers College, I write to share the news that Dr. KerryAnn O’Meara, TC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of the College, has accepted an appointment as Fordham University’s new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Her last day at TC will be June 30. This is an exciting next chapter for KerryAnn and she will be greatly missed for her many contributions to TC. 

KerryAnn joined Teachers College in July 2023, and from the very beginning of her tenure, she demonstrated true leadership through creativity, collaboration and partnership. She worked closely with department chairs, program directors, cabinet members and me to strengthen academic programs and improve the student experience. These efforts included a comprehensive program analysis, financial aid reform, as well as centralized advising to better support students. She also led college-wide efforts to extend the College’s updated mission through TC Commitments Vision and Action Plan. 

To strengthen and expand TC’s academic programs, KerryAnn launched new, flexible offerings, including TC Academy, a hub for non-degree and non-credit programs, and a successful Winter Session. She also partnered extensively with the Faculty Executive Committee, department chairs and faculty to implement meaningful policy and practice reforms. These efforts evolved faculty career pathways including the creation of new titles and career ladders for Professors of Teaching and development of a new evaluation process for promotion, updated courseload guidelines to provide greater flexibility, and the establishment of more transparent compensation structures for program directors.

While at TC, KerryAnn was selected as a 2025 Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, an honor recognizing her many outstanding contributions to research and practice. 

On a personal note, I am grateful for KerryAnn’s leadership and development of deep connections in our community, which reinforced a culture of collaboration and shared purpose across the College. 

Information about an interim replacement will be shared soon. 

Please join me in thanking KerryAnn for her contributions to TC and wishing her the very best at Fordham University. 

With best wishes,

Thomas Bailey
President
Teachers College, Columbia University