Accomplished California educator appointed Dean of Education at UHCL

The University of Houston-Clear Lake has selected a highly accomplished leader with 35 years of experience as its next Dean of the College of Education.

The appointment of Dr. Stephanie Biagetti, currently Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies at California State University, Sacramento, was announced by Dr. Edward R. Waller, Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost after approval was granted by the University of Houston System Board of Regents February 26. Biagetti's official start date will be June 1.

"Dr. Biagetti was the top choice in a national search to lead faculty and staff in empowering our students to reach their academic goals," Waller said. "Drawing from her extensive background as an educator and administrator, Dr. Biagetti has a proven ability to connect initiatives with priorities, fostering collaboration and institutional alignment to support college and university goals. Her leadership style emphasizes student engagement and innovation to ensure strategies are both data-driven and focused on student experiences and success."

In her new role at UHCL, Biagetti will lead initiatives to champion the university's mission to foster lifelong learning and prepare graduates to make meaningful contributions to their communities. She will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and partners to elevate the College's reputation for innovation and impact, strengthening its commitment to teacher preparation and leadership development. She is eager to bring her vision and experience to UHCL to build upon its legacy of leadership and to shape the College of Education's next chapter of educational excellence.

"The University of Houston-Clear Lake has a robust legacy in educating and training teachers and administrators to lead Texas schools," Biagetti said. "I am honored to be chosen as Dean and join with the College of Education faculty and staff in preparing students to become a powerful force for change in and out of the classroom."

Biagetti possesses 23 years of higher education experience, 11 years of college administrative experience, and 7 years as an Associate Dean. In her current role, she oversees a broad portfolio encompassing academic policy, budgeting, program review, wrap-around student support services, curriculum development, and personnel management.

She oversaw programs that directly increased graduate program application numbers and improved graduate student engagement, retention, and completion, including the Graduate Preparation Academy for undergraduates and the Graduate Student Research Showcase. She led university-wide efforts to align assessment of learning outcomes with accreditation expectations. She also facilitated development of initiatives that produced measurable increases in enrollment, student engagement, and graduation rates.

Biagetti holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Schooling (Assessment Curriculum and Teaching Studies), a Master of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies with a Minor emphasis in Mathematics, all from the University of California, Los Angeles.

In addition to Sacramento State, Biagetti has experience with the University of California, Davis; California State University, Fullerton; UCLA; the University of California Office of the President; and Santa Monica (California) High School and Viewpoint School. She has served as a principal or co-principal investigator on seven research projects and lead or co-lead on another 10 projects and initiatives. She is also an author or co-author of more than 25 peer-reviewed journal articles.