Marcelle Haddix

When Milwaukee-raised Marcelle Haddix became dean of the No. 1-ranked UW–Madison School of Education in 2024, it felt like coming home — her parents met as Badgers, and she was born here.

“I was also drawn to our School of Education’s breadth across the arts, health and education,” says Haddix. “I love to be in spaces with people who are change agents, people who want to problem-solve, innovate, ideate, and create, and I’m honored to be part of a diverse community of scholars and leaders who come together to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

While Haddix enjoys summer in Madison for Concerts on the Square and Dane Dances, she finds plenty of year-round arts opportunities right here on campus. The School of Education is home to the UW Art Department, the Department of Theatre & Drama, and the 100-year-old Dance Department, the first academic dance program in the nation. Haddix gets excited about cross-departmental collaborations like April’s Climate Change Theatre Action event, and she attends performances, concerts and exhibitions on a weekly basis — not just to support students, but also because it is a deep personal passion. 

“While my scholarly expertise is in literacy and teacher education, with a particular focus on the experiences of students and teachers of color, I am a creative. I love to write, to dance, and to express myself in creative ways,” Haddix says. “I think taking an arts course can unlock a different part of your brain and open you up. Figuring out how to channel and convey our unique brands of expression and creativity is a powerful thing, and can help us grow both personally and professionally.”