“Anne not only has strong leadership qualities but she also has a thorough understanding of the School’s culture and a strong working relationship with faculty and staff,” Thompson said.

“She is well respected among educators in the state and I think that she has a clear sense of opportunities for the School to thrive.”

A member of the education faculty since 1999, Dichele has served as director of the master of arts in teaching program since 2013. Dichele, who had been interim dean, replaces Kevin Basmadjian, who passed away on Oct. 23 after an illness.

“As a former classroom teacher, educator and professor here at Quinnipiac since 1999, I am both honored and grateful to be appointed Dean of the School of Education,” Dichele said. “I believe strongly in the crucial role of public education in a democracy, about the necessity of providing every child with a high-quality education administered by caring, intelligent and innovative teachers.”

Dichele has a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut. She also has a master of education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northeastern University. In addition, she is a founder and chair of the board of directors of the Side by Side Charter School in Norwalk.

“The work of preparing teachers and administrators is more than a career for me, it is a life’s work that at its heart is deeply personal as well as professional,” she said.

“I would hope, as dean, to be able to funnel that passion to provide the leadership and vision that would continue to elevate Quinnipiac’s School of Education to a national stage, not only for recognition, but for the opportunity to influence the trajectory of public education, and hopefully promote equity of educational opportunity for all our children.”

The School of Education, which is located on the North Haven Campus, offers dual-degree programs in elementary and secondary education, graduate degrees in elementary and secondary education, a sixth-year diploma in educational leadership as well as graduate online programs in teacher leadership, instructional design and special education. The school also offers a certificate of completion in special education. Comprised of 11 full-time faculty members and more than 300 students, the school is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Earlier this year, the school received the Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement Award from the National Association for Professional Development Schools for its partnership with the Side by Side Charter School and Fair Haven Elementary School of New Haven.