A Week in Pictures: Dean Ryan's First Week

Dean James Ryan had a lot in common with the 641 new students arriving at HGSE last week, including first day jitters.

“I officially started just last week, although I spent a lot of time this summer meeting faculty and staff,” he told them in his orientation welcome, adding jokingly, “I’m not sure who should be more nervous — me starting as a new dean, or you starting at an Ed School with a new dean.”

Ryan, a leading scholar of education law and policy, was named the new dean of HGSE in June 2013. An award-winning teacher who served on the University of Virginia faculty since 1998, Ryan spent much of his busy first week meeting with students, staff, and faculty. Here’s a glimpse into the life of a new dean.