In July 2013, Kim Metcalf, Ph.D. became Dean of the UNLV College of Education (COE) with a clear charge from university leadership to establish a greater state and national presence and to engage the college in exerting greater leadership and influence on education. Almost immediately, Dean Metcalf initiated a fact-finding mission, talking with faculty, staff, campus leaders, educational leaders in Clark County and the state, influential members of the business community, legislators and other policy makers, and the COE alumni.

With these conversations in mind, the dean crafted a vision for the COE, one that has the support of UNLV leadership, reflects the interests and needs of the college's stakeholders, and is supported by the COE faculty.