Alverno College Names Désirée Pointer Mace, PhD, Dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
Désirée Pointer Mace. Photo courtesy of Alverno College.
MILWAUKEE, (June 9, 2026) – Désirée Pointer Mace, PhD, has been named dean of Alverno College’s School of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LAPS). She will assume the role on July 1.
In this role, she will work in close partnership with the vice president for Academic Affairs, the academic leadership team, and the LAPS community. Alverno’s largest and most academically diverse school, LAPS encompasses five primary academic areas:
- Business & Communication
- Education
- Multidisciplinary Studies
- Natural Sciences
- Psychology & Social Work
“Désirée epitomizes Alverno educational innovation with her creation of award-winning programs, such as our EdD program, her commitment to inclusivity with her important work in educating future teachers in a context of multilingual schools, and in her support of faculty and staff, which is grounded in the Abilities and a growth mindset,” said Gina Rossetti, PhD, vice president for Academic Affairs at Alverno.
Pointer Mace is a highly innovative, experienced educator with over 30 years of experience. Most recently, she served as interim dean of LAPS. She also previously served as professor of education and director of graduate programs, and has taught at Alverno since 2007. In that time, she led professional development and educator preparation at the local, state, national, and international levels. Since 2014, she has advanced work in Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru focused on reform in teacher learning, reaching hundreds of educators from multiple Latin American countries. She has also been recognized twice as a Fulbright Teaching Specialist.
“I am deeply committed to the educational innovative culture of Alverno College, and believe that this community of educators and students will continue to make significant and positive change in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the nation, and the world,” said Pointer Mace.
Pointer Mace earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She earned her master’s degree and doctoral degree in education from the University of California – Berkeley. She serves on the Wisconsin State Superintendent’s Standards Council, a position to which she was appointed. She was also appointed to the City of Milwaukee Charter School Review Committee by the mayor.
About Alverno College
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women. Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Graduate programs, digital badges, degree completion programs and certificate programs are open to all genders. A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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