Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009
Dr. Sharon J. Sherman of Hopewell, N.J., is the new dean of the School of Education at Rider University. Sherman, who began work on August 1, succeeds Dr. Carol Brown.
“I think Rider’s School of Education is a gem. We have outstanding faculty and staff, and a variety of high quality programs,” Sherman said. “I am impressed by the students I have met. They are highly motivated and eager to gain the expertise they need to work in the 21st century.”
Sherman brings more than 35 years of professional experience in the fields of higher education, secondary education and the sciences.
Sherman comes to Rider from The College of New Jersey, where she most recently served as co-founder and director of the Center for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education and Professor with Merit. In her role as director of the center, Sherman was a leading member of a team that brought more than $10 million in grant funds for mathematics, science and technology education.
In addition, she has held positions at Princeton University, Rutgers University and the New Jersey Department of Education. She holds a doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision and a master’s degree in Science Education from Rutgers University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from New York University.
Earlier in her career, Sherman worked as a chemist for a company that developed the first soft contact lenses and a variety of products made from polymers. Shortly after she discovered her passion for education and began her career, which included writing college-level science textbooks and teaching at the middle school, high school, and community college levels.
In her spare time, Sherman takes photos of nature and paints watercolors. Avid travelers, Sherman and her husband enjoy taking trips to rain forests, such as Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand. They have two sons, a daughter-in law and two grandchildren.