May 6, 2025 ― DENTON ― Texas Woman’s University (TWU) has officially appointed Brigitte Vittrup, PhD, as the permanent dean of its College of Professional Education, effective June 1, 2025. Vittrup has been serving as interim dean since July 2024, and her transition to a permanent role signals a continuation and expansion of her initiatives aimed at enhancing the college’s educational framework.
Dr. Vittrup is recognized for her commitment to student success and faculty support. Notably, she initiated a peer-mentoring group focused on improving student retention rates. She has also advocated for and progressed towards incorporating a competency-based education (CBE) model within certain programs, intending to make educational pathways more adaptable and aligned with modern academic and professional demands. These strategies have been complemented by forging new academic partnerships to boost enrollment and collaboration.
“Dr. Vittrup brings extensive leadership experience to this role and has already made a meaningful impact during her time as interim dean,” stated Angela Bauer, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “She has led efforts to enhance student retention and laid the groundwork for developing curricular pathways that incorporate competency-based education. A strong advocate for faculty, Dr. Vittrup earned broad support throughout the search process, a reflection of her collaborative and inclusive leadership style.”
Her academic portfolio is diverse and rich, with teaching expertise in child development, research methodologies, and statistics, alongside research that delves into family dynamics and media influences on children. Her work has been recognized beyond academic circles, featuring in respected news outlets such as the Washington Post, Newsweek, and NPR.
Over the past seven years, Dr. Vittrup’s involvement at TWU has been substantial, having held positions such as department chair of Human Development, Family Studies & Counseling (now the School of Human Sciences), acting director of the School of Library and Information Studies, assistant department chair, and undergraduate program coordinator for Child Development.
Dr. Vittrup’s academic credentials include a PhD in developmental psychology and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas State University and another in radio, television, and film from the University of Texas. Her comprehensive educational background underpins her strategic and innovative approaches in her new permanent role at TWU.