University of San Diego Announces New Dean of SOLES

Nicholas Ladany, an internationally known scholar, educator, and leader, has been selected as the new Dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego. He will begin his new role on July 1, 2015.

Dean Ladany will be replacing Dean Paula Cordeiro, who has led SOLES for the past 17 years. Dean Cordeiro will be returning to her faculty role and in that position through the Global Center in SOLES she will be on an international assignment for three years working with Edify, a nonprofit organization, overseeing education programs in developing nations. Under Dean Cordeiro’s leadership, SOLES has become a global leader in training educators, leaders and counselors both here in San Diego and around the world.

Dr. Ladany is ideally suited to build upon the impressive progress at SOLES under the leadership of Dean Cordeiro,” says Provost Andy Allen. “His leadership approach includes alliance building and interpersonal adeptness; a commitment to multiculturalism and social justice; and a collaborative visionary focus.”

“I’ve known Dr. Ladany as a scholar and administrator for several years. He is an experienced dean and impressive scholar who will bring many strengths to SOLES,” Dean Cordeiro said. “I have no doubt that he will continue to build on and develop the programs, institutes, and centers we’re so proud of in the years to come.”

Ladany joins SOLES from Santa Clara University, where he’s been dean of the School of Education and Counseling Psychology since 2012.

While at Santa Clara University, Ladany led a dramatic increase in student diversity, enrollments, and community partnerships. He worked with donors, foundations, corporations, and the university to develop a satellite campus to focus on preparing teachers to work in underserved Latino communities. He also facilitated the development of multiple K-12 school and university partnership programs such as the Academy of Blended Learning for professional teachers and principals, and the Excellence in Catholic Education and Leadership (ExCEL) program for aspiring Catholic school teachers.

“It is a distinct honor to serve as the dean of SOLES in such a distinguished university as the University of San Diego,” Ladany said. “Throughout my administrative career, I have often pointed to SOLES as a model school and Dean Cordeiro as a model leader. I am humbled by this opportunity and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Prior to Santa Clara University, Ladany was professor and director of counseling programs at Loyola Marymount University and held a series of faculty and administrative positions at Lehigh University. He’s also served as a faculty member at Temple University and the University of Maryland.

Ladany holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from University at Albany, State University of New York, and a BS in Psychology from University of Maryland. He is a Fellow and member of the American Psychological Association, and member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Ladany has authored five books and more than 80 publications.

To learn more about Dean Ladany, please visit http://www.sandiego.edu/solesdean/

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.