Paula C. Wood, Ph.D., passed away on May 18, 2020, at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, from complications of COVID-19. She served as dean of the College of Education at Wayne State University from 1993 until her retirement in 2010. 

Wood was born in Kansas, where she also began her education. The family moved to Mobile, Alabama, then to Battle Creek, Michigan, where she graduated from high school. She attended Michigan State University and earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in special education. During that time, she also taught at two different public schools. 

After completing her doctoral studies, Wood joined the special education faculty at Wayne State — the university she came to love — in 1976 and remained here her entire career.  

Wood’s career was divided into two professional roles. As a professor, she taught special education and was recognized for her talents with the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1987 and Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year in 1998. As a scholar, she authored many research articles and more than 50 presentations at national conferences. Wood’s administrative career begin as an interim division head for Teacher Education in 1987, after which she was appointed associate dean for curriculum, a position she held from 1987 to 1991. She was appointed interim dean of the College of Education, and in 1993, after an intensive national search, she was named dean, a position she held until her retirement in 2010.

Under Wood’s leadership, the College of Education built a strong research and teaching faculty, expanded academic offerings, strengthened scholarship programs, obtained significant grant funding, and helped raise substantial sums of money during the university’s capital campaigns. Wood was considered a dynamo who lifted everyone around her and had the ability to bring out the best in people. However, there was one thing faculty and staff members could do that would get them into trouble with her: bring a baby into the Education Building and not bring the baby to her office for a visit.

Wood successfully managed and maintained a stable administrative team in the college and found avenues to work with colleagues in the Detroit Public Schools as well as other schools and colleges within the university. During a time when the tenure of most college deans was relatively short, Wood's qualities and skills allowed her to not only maintain her position for so many years but also to leave the college with a legacy of accomplishments. At one time, she was the most senior dean at Wayne State.

Wood was asked to direct the NCA self-study for the Higher Learning Commission for the university’s re-accreditation process (2003-06). On occasion, the university needed to fill interim appointments when someone left an administrative post. Wood was asked to serve as interim dean of the College of Lifelong Learning from 1998 to 2000 and interim provost in 2003.

Wood was also recognized for her leadership skills outside of the university. She was appointed to the Michigan State Board of Education Ensuring Excellent Educators Task Force in 2002 and served as chair of the Michigan Deans' Council from 2004 to 2005.

Wood was preceded in death by both of her parents. She is survived by her two sisters, two brothers, six nieces, two nephews and 18 great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held for family members on July 10, 2020, at Pinecrest Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama, where both of her parents are laid to rest. 

She is sorely missed by all of her relatives and friends.

Prepared by Dennis Fink, her brother; Roni Fink, her sister-in-law, and Stephen Hillman, Ph.D., her friend and professor of educational psychology