DePaul University has named Paul Zionts the new dean of the School of Education. He will assume the post July 1.

“Paul has a long record of dynamic leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong affinity for the mission of DePaul University,” DePaul Provost Helmut Epp said. “He was the overwhelming choice of the faculty, staff and administration following a national search.”

Zionts has been dean of the School of Education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn since 2005. He previously served as professor and chair of educational foundations and special services at Kent State University and as a professor at Central Michigan University.

Zionts is the author, co-author or editor of five books and more than 25 articles and chapters. A professor of special education, his research interests include the education of children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders, cognitive behavioral interventions and classroom management.

“The DePaul School of Education’s real strength is the people I met who truly care about teaching, research and helping the community. That is the culture of DePaul,” said Zionts, who is especially excited to be coming to Chicago, which is not only at the heart of the national educational reform efforts, but also home to President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

As dean at University of Michigan-Dearborn, Zionts helped strike partnerships with organizations in the community. They included affiliations with two Southfield, Mich., public schools and Oakwood Healthcare System to support programs for families while enriching and expanding programming in the school’s child development and special education programs. He has held several national leadership positions, including serving as president of the Council for Children with Behavior Disorders.

“My experiences since childhood have reinforced a strong sense of social justice,” he said. “My primary leadership role has been to support, nourish, motivate and empower faculty, staff and students to realize their professional aspirations.”

A native of Hartford, Conn., Zionts began his career teaching in a reform school and an inner-city high school, quickly becoming director of a successful program for juvenile delinquents. He earned his doctoral degree in educational psychology and special education from the University of Connecticut in 1979.

DePaul has one of the largest schools of education in the Chicago area, offering degree programs in early childhood education; elementary, secondary education and physical education; special education; bilingual/bicultural education; curriculum studies; educational leadership; human services and counseling; and language, literacy and specialized instruction.