Editor’s Note: A photo of Tony Manson was not available as of release time

Three educators with extensive experience as professors and administrators in schools of education are finalists for the position of dean of the School of Education & Human Development at the University of Houston-Victoria.

“We are excited that all three candidates have so much professional and faculty leadership experience,” said Kathryn Tart, chairwoman of the UHV Education Dean Search Committee and founding dean of the university’s School of Nursing. “We are looking forward to the finalists visiting UHV and sharing their vision for the future of education and the School of Education & Human Development.”

The finalists are:

Freddie Litton

Freddie Litton, professor of special education at Louisiana State University in Alexandria and former dean of the College of Professional Studies at the university. Litton earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. His Doctor of Education is from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He previously served as dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and interim dean of the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He also has worked as a classroom teacher for junior high and high school students.

Tony Manson, professor and chairman of the Secondary Education and Foundation Department at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Manson earned his bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University in Detroit and his master’s degree in school curriculum from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. His doctorate in curriculum and instruction is from Kansas State University in Manhattan. Manson previously was coordinator for Professional Development Schools at Clafin University in Orangeburg, S.C. He also has been on the education faculty at Texas Southern University, Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.

Zaidy MohdZain

Zaidy MohdZain, professor and dean of the College of Education at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. MohdZain earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and both a Master of Public Administration and a master’s in human development counseling from the University of Illinois in Springfield. His doctorate in counselor education and supervision is from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He has worked as an external examiner, assessor or visiting professor for two universities in Malaysia. He also served in various positions in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling at Southeast Missouri State University in Girardeau.

The finalists were selected after a national search and are scheduled to come to UHV for interviews and meetings. They will go to Victoria for their first day of interviews and meetings, and Fort Bend for their second day in order to meet with faculty, staff and students in the locations where UHV has programs. To view each finalist’s curriculum vita, go to http://www.uhv.edu/provost/DeanSearch/.

Litton will interview Monday and Tuesday. Manson is scheduled for April 4 and 5, and MohdZain will come to UHV April 23 and 24.

Diane Prince, a professor in the UHV School of Education, currently is serving as the school’s interim dean until a new dean is selected.