Jeanne Marcum Gerlach

Jeanne Marcum Gerlach was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2004.

Gerlach earned a bachelor’s degree in language arts education from West Virginia State College, a master’s degree in English education and curriculum and instruction from West Virginia University in 1979, and a doctorate in English education from WVU in 1985. She later earned a second doctorate in higher education administration from the University of North Texas in 1992.

She began her career in higher education as an assistant professor of English education at West Virginia University, where she also served as interim director of the Center for Women’s Studies and special assistant to the provost. Her work at WVU included responsibilities in graduate education, multicultural education, student affairs, and university-wide budget preparation.

In 1997, Gerlach joined the University of Texas at Arlington as the founding dean of what would become the College of Education and Health Professions. Under her leadership, the college transitioned from a center to a school (1999), earned accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (2003), and became a college that same year. In 2009, the college expanded to include health-related programs before eventually dividing into two colleges in 2015. While at UT Arlington, Gerlach also served as associate vice president for K–16 initiatives, where she led efforts to align curriculum across education levels and improve student outcomes. She helped establish multiple education-focused centers and supported the creation of a P–16 doctoral program.

Gerlach held faculty appointments in both English education and higher education leadership and policy studies. She remained active in research and publishing, and held leadership roles in national organizations including the National Council of Teachers of English, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the National Network for Educational Renewal.

Her honors include Outstanding Woman in English Education from the National Council of Teachers of English, Outstanding Woman Leader in Fort Worth, and Outstanding Dean of Education in Texas. She received Outstanding Alumni Awards from both West Virginia University and the University of North Texas.

She retired from UT Arlington in 2020 and holds the title of Dean Emeritus.