The interim dean of the University of Houston-Victoria School of Education & Human Development is well-versed in its operations: She has run several key positions in the education wing during her 37 years with the institution.

Diane Prince recently was named to the interim dean position for the 2011-2012 school year. She replaces former dean Lawrence Rossow, who is serving as associate vice president in the newly created Office of Institutional Effectiveness. That office is overseeing the university’s 2014 accreditation efforts.

Diane Prince

Prince, who has taught from the junior high through collegiate levels, returns to oversee the school’s education, counseling, administration and teacher certification programs. She has served as the school’s chair of education, dean, dean of faculty, Faculty Senate president, and chair of the graduate studies program during her years with UHV.

“I look forward to moving in new, positive directions with an excellent faculty and staff,” Prince said.

She began her duties this fall as UHV welcomed its second class of freshmen, and the School of Education & Human Development added another master’s degree in adult and higher education to its offerings.

Prince has spent much of her UHV tenure helping develop programs at the University of Houston System at Sugar Land and the UH System at Cinco Ranch. She was among the first to begin teaching courses in Sugar Land, where UHV offers many of the programs, and has contributed to that teaching center’s rapid growth.

Prince’s research interests include social science in higher education, cognitive moral development and diversity issues. She got her own taste of diversity issues when she began her education training while in college.

“I was from the generation of women who went into education because society generally didn’t include us in every field,” she said. “But I am happy I did because this work touches the future and requires continuous learning.”

Prince is an East Texas native who was reared in Austin. Her first public school teaching position was in Sweeney Independent School District where she taught junior high social studies.

She received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Stephen F. Austin State University and went on to get a master’s degree from the same institution. She received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston.

Prince joined UHV in 1974, a year after its founding as a teaching center. Prince partnered with other faculty members to win grants worth $1.7 million to work with area school districts in the education of future teachers, led development of a Teacher Technology Center, developed programs for re-certifying teachers to gain mathematics certificates, and assisted with many other educational projects.

Working with the faculty and staff, Prince sees the school focusing on making the most of opportunities with UHV’s growing student population and continuing to provide a quality education at an affordable price.

Don Smith

“The School of Education & Human Development will continue its focus on recruitment and its counseling and certification programs,” she said. “We are studying every aspect of how to run each of our departments in the most efficient way.”

While she is keeping some office hours in Katy, she is calling Victoria home for most of each week.

Don Smith, UHV interim provost and longtime colleague of Prince, said he looks forward to working with her on the university’s education efforts.

“The university is fortunate to have such experienced faculty in the School of Education & Human Development, and it benefits us more to have someone with Dr. Prince’s leadership experience,” Smith said. “I believe under her stewardship, the program will continue to flourish and serve as a resource for those seeking teaching, administration or counseling degrees.”