New era of education innovation with Peabody faculty administrative promotions, inaugural leader of Peabody Leadership Institute

In the spring semester, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development celebrated the administrative promotions of Nicole A. Cobb to associate dean for academic affairs and professional education and Catherine Gavin Loss to associate provost for academic affairs in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Education. The college also welcomed Shilpa Patwardhan as assistant dean and executive director of the new Peabody Leadership Institute.

"The Peabody community congratulates our esteemed colleagues on their new roles," said Camilla P. Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development. "Catherine's exemplary leadership has had a profound impact on shaping the growth of Peabody's academic and professional education, and I know she will bring the same energy to her role as associate provost. Moreover, the new appointments of Nicole and Shilpa represent a bright future for Peabody. Their commitment to learning innovation will strengthen Peabody's position as a leader in professional education."

Nicole Cobb, associate dean for academic affairs and professional education

Cobb brings extensive academic leadership experience to her new role. She previously served as program director of Human Development Studies and associate chair of the Department of Human and Organizational Development. She is a professor of the practice in human and organizational development and director of the school counseling program track. Additionally, she has been a faculty senator and served on several Vanderbilt committees.

Cobb earned her bachelor of science, master of arts, and specialist in education license from Tennessee Technological University, as well as her education doctorate from the University of Tennessee. She holds nearly 30 years of experience as a teacher, school counselor, and administrator at the district and state levels, including as the executive director of school counseling for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Her professional experience has allowed her to link research to practice in the field of school counseling, especially related to school climate, social-emotional learning, college access, and school counselor effectiveness.

Catherine Gavin Loss, associate provost for academic affairs

Gavin Loss is a respected teacher and scholar and an experienced administrator. After earning her master of arts at the University of Chicago and her doctor of philosophy at the University of Virginia, she joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 2008. She is an associate professor of the practice in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations, where she previously served as associate department chair. She teaches courses on the history of education and education policy, and she is an award-winning mentor to students.

Gavin Loss joins the Office of the Provost after serving as Peabody College's senior associate dean for academic affairs and professional education. An immensely effective administrator, Gavin Loss oversaw academic affairs and services, curriculum planning and new program development, and strategic academic initiatives. She brings the same expertise to the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Education, where she supports new and existing professional education programs and AdvancED.

Shilpa Patwardhan, assistant dean and executive director, Peabody Leadership Institute

Patwardhan's expertise in online and professional education comes from 26 years of experience in learning technology and innovation for the private sector and higher education. She earned her master of education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and undergraduate degree from Rachana Sansad's Academy of Architecture in India. Before joining Peabody College, she founded revLDesign, a learning design consultancy, and was senior head of learning innovation at CFA Institute, where she established a portfolio of online professional learning certificates for the investment management and finance industry.

Patwardhan has managed online learning initiatives in higher education at several institutions. As the inaugural connected learning director at Wharton Executive Education, she created a revenue-generating online learning strategy. As the associate director of academic services at Deltak, she oversaw the design and development of several online master's and doctoral programs at partner schools. For the Peabody Leadership Institute, she will launch a portfolio of non-degree, multi-modal, professional short-courses, certificates, and in-person institutes that expand access to Peabody's research and teaching.

Part of this release was originally published on December 9, 2024.