The University of South Carolina Upstate has announced Ugena Whitlock, Ph.D., as the new dean of its College of Education, Human Performance, and Health (CoEHPH). Whitlock joins USC Upstate from Kennesaw State University, where she most recently served as interim dean of the Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the Bagwell College of Education since 2015. She will begin her work for Upstate on Monday, July 18.

“Throughout her career, Dr. Whitlock has proven herself a creative, innovative, community-minded leader,” said USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D. “We are delighted she will join our campus community as the next dean of CoEHPH, which serves more than 1,000 students with distinctive programming that develops educators and professionals who serve the needs of our regional workforce and communities.”

Whitlock arrived at Kennesaw State in 2005. During her tenure, she served as a professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the Department of Secondary and Middle Grades Education. Whitlock also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Teacher Education, coordinated the Gender and Women’s Studies Program, and served as assistant chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department in the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Whitlock, a former president of the Georgia Educational Leadership Faculty Association, is a recipient of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders Service and Achievement Service Award.

“I like the size and structure of USC Upstate and of CoEHPH,” Whitlock said. “I see almost endless possibilities for growth and for cultivating relationships across the community and region.”

Whitlock, originally of northern Alabama, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in History and English from Athens State University. She earned her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Coppin State University.

In 2005, Whitlock completed her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in curriculum theory and a graduate minor in women’s and gender studies from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the Professors of Curriculum and the Society of Education Professors.

“I am excited to see CoEHPH’s innovation and growth as a result of Dr. Whitlock’s visionary leadership,” said USC Upstate Provost Pam Steinke.

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