David Fuentes, PhD

Dean
School of Education
Stockton University

David A. Fuentes, PhD serves as Dean of the School of Education at Stockton University, where he works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and community partners to support student learning and program development. In this role, he is focused on strengthening educator preparation, encouraging thoughtful innovation in teaching, and fostering a supportive and inclusive academic environment.  As an education scholar, researcher, and leader Dr. Fuentes has had a profound impact in the lives of the students, faculty, and campus communities where he has served.  Through his scholarship, program development, and grant-funded projects that he has led, Dr. Fuentes has centered his work on expanding access and opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds,especially those from historically marginalized communities. He earned his PhD in Curriculum in Curriculum and Instruction from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.Ed. in Bilingual and Multicultural Education and B.A. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  He was born and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts.  The youngest of seven children and born into a family of educators, he continues a legacy in pursuit of equity in public education that was began by parents, Luis and Dora Fuentes.  His father was the first Puerto Rican Superintendent in the Lower East Side of Manhattan (1968-1973) having implemented some of first bilingual programs in the U.S.  His mother served as principal in Holyoke, MA, a community represented by almost 50 percent Latinos.