UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin:
“Diana has been an innovative and effective leader in the School of Education and on our campus. She has made a lasting impact on teaching, well-being, and in the arts in our state and beyond, and she has served as a mentor to many other campus leaders. We are grateful for her incredible service and commitment to the Wisconsin Idea and look forward to her continued leadership of The Discussion Project.”
Eric Wilcots, dean of UW–Madison’s College of Letters & Science, called Hess “a remarkable leader and colleague.” He adds: “Her initiatives, including The Discussion Project and the Teacher Pledge, have already had an impressive impact. I have learned a lot from her as a fellow dean, and it has been a joy working with her on any number of priorities — even when the circumstances might have been difficult. And she is just a great friend. I wish her all the best in whatever comes next.”
UW–Madison Provost Charles Isbell:
“Diana has been a passionate and impactful leader. Although I have not had the opportunity to work with her for long, I am grateful for the work she has done as dean and the support and advice she has given me during my own transition. I look forward to the good work she will be doing in the future.”
Faisal Abdu’Allah, the School of Education’s Associate Dean for the Arts and the Chazen Family Distinguished Chair in Art, says Hess approaches collaboration across the arts, health, and education like an artist approaches a collage. He adds: “What she has been able to do is to understand how to use creativity to bring all of our worlds together. Like the great surrealists, she has been able to bring together three very disparate elements to create a cohesive vision that creates the conditions for excellence to thrive.”