Andy Garbacz, a professor in the School Psychology Program in the Department of Educational Psychology, has been appointed deputy director of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Education, effective Sept. 23, 2026. In this role, Garbacz joins the center’s leadership team and will help advance WCER’s mission of improving educational outcomes through research, evaluation, and development.

Garbacz brings a decade of experience as a WCER principal investigator and research leader. He also serves as a co-director of the School Mental Health Collaborative, an initiative that exemplifies WCER’s commitment to addressing pressing challenges facing schools, families, and communities.

A nationally recognized scholar in school psychology, Garbacz’s research focuses on how schools, families, and communities can work together to promote student success and well-being. His work emphasizes partnership, implementation science, and evidence-based approaches that help schools translate research into meaningful improvements for students and families.

“I joined WCER because I believed it had the ingredients to create transformative change for children and youth, and over the last 10 years I’ve seen that belief realized through the brilliance and persistence of our people and the strength of our partnerships,” said Garbacz. “It’s an honor to give back to a community that has given me so much. I’m excited to help foster bold, innovative ideas that lead to real and lasting improvements for children, youth, families, educators, and communities, while ensuring that the people who make this work possible know how deeply they matter.”

In addition to his research and leadership within WCER, Garbacz also serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of School Psychology, one of the field’s leading scholarly journals.

“Andy has been an invaluable leader within WCER for many years,” said WCER Interim Director Mariana Castro. “His scholarship, commitment to partnership, and ability to bring people together around complex challenges make him exceptionally well suited for this role. He understands both the opportunities and responsibilities of a research center like WCER, and I look forward to working with him to strengthen faculty engagement, expand strategic partnerships and advance our mission.”

As deputy director, Garbacz will work closely with Castro, Co-Deputy Director Chris Pfund, and Carrie Welsh, WCER director of strategic initiatives. His experience as a faculty member and success with grant-funded research will be instrumental in advancing faculty engagement and strengthening strategic partnerships across the university and beyond. He will also share responsibility for supervising academic staff researchers and contribute to special initiatives focused on advancing the sustainability and growth of education research at WCER.