Wilson Is First Black Woman To Serve as Ed School Dean

The Graduate School of Education has appointed a black woman to its number two post for the first time in its history.

Blenda J. Wilson, the new associate dean for administration, began her term on September 1. She replaces Ronald W. Wormser, now associate dean for development.

Wilson will deal mainly with finance, personnel and general administration.

"I came here because I like what the Harvard Education School represents," Wilson said Monday. "That is, a non-traditional approach to teacher training and a high level of educational research."

Wilson said that she does not intend to initiate any changes in Ed School policies. "I didn't come here to change the school but to be a part of it," she said.

Wilson came to Harvard from Rutgers University where she served as executive assistant to the president. She had previously worked as an education specialist and executive director for an anti-poverty program in New Jersey. Wilson said that this program helped ease tensions in New Brunswick during the summer riots in 1968.