Dr. Tammi Dice is Dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies and a Professor of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a focus on family-school collaboration from the College of William and Mary and holds an MSEd in school counseling and a BS in psychology from Old Dominion University.

As a transformative leader, Dr. Dice is a staunch advocate for equity, belonging, and social justice in both K-12 schools and higher education. She is committed to fostering the growth and success of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. Her work focuses on disrupting systemic barriers and creating an accessible, inclusive, and equitable environment. From restructuring academic departments and ensuring fair distribution of funding to initiating equity-driven programs, her contributions have profoundly shaped the academic and professional landscape at ODU.

Dr. Dice’s legacy is rooted in inclusion and equity. She has spearheaded significant diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including the launch of the Holmes Scholar Program for underrepresented Ph.D. students and the hosting of nationally recognized speakers such as Dr. Tia Brown McNair, Gabby Rivera, and Nikole Hannah-Jones. Additionally, she has created inclusive spaces through programs like “Critical Conversations in Education,” which advance social justice and foster a sense of belonging.

Under her leadership, the college has secured over $11 million in external grants annually and established innovative programs such as teacher residencies, apprenticeships, military pathways, and lab schools—efforts that reflect her dedication to educational access, community engagement, and national impact. She is relentless in her pursuit of funding to support students, securing numerous endowed scholarships, creating a donor wall, and launching the “Give the Gift of Licensure” initiative to assist student teachers in financial need.

Dr. Dice has published over 50 journal articles, book chapters, op-eds, and encyclopedia entries, and has delivered professional presentations globally. Her academic contributions are matched by her profound and far-reaching community service. From serving on the United Way’s United for Children Executive Committee to leading collaborative educational programs with school systems and cultural institutions, she exemplifies servant leadership.

Internationally, Dr. Dice has worked with institutions and organizations such as Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, NGO Gen.Ukrainian, and the Mountain Seed Foundation to address the mental health and educational needs of Ukrainian children and injured soldiers impacted by the war. Her work includes volunteering at programs in Europe to support injured Ukrainian soldiers and their families, and conducting program evaluations and consulting for Ukrainian-based camps serving children affected by trauma. Additionally, she is working to enhance mental health interventions, prepare education systems for post-war recovery, and contribute to workforce development for children and injured soldiers in Lutsk and Kiev, Ukraine. Through these international collaborations, Dr. Dice is committed to supporting global communities with integrity, compassion, and purpose.