Kamau Siwatu is a professor of Educational Psychology and the Dean of the College of Education. During his tenure at the university, Dr. Siwatu has taught a range of courses including Educational Psychology, Cognition and Instruction, and the Foundations of Mixed Methods Research. Siwatu’s former students comment about his dedication to providing innovative instructional approaches, linking theory to practice, and ensuring that his students receive a challenging yet rewarding educational experience.

Siwatu gained a national reputation stemming from publications associated with his primary research agenda, which is related to culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy. He has published in high-impact journals such as Urban Education, Contemporary Educational Psychology, Teaching and Teacher Education, and the Journal of Educational Research.

In the summer of 2020, Siwatu accepted the role of chair of the Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Counseling Department - the largest graduate department in the College of Education, in terms of programs offered, students served, and the number of faculty. Siwatu ensured compliance with institutional policies, managed departmental budgets, and resolved conflicts while maintaining a focus on academic excellence and faculty development. His accomplishments include implementing streamlined faculty review processes, fostering a culture of collaboration, and achieving a 100% success rate in promotion and tenure reviews. 

In January 2024, Siwatu was appointed interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  Siwatu's transition from being the department chair to the interim Associate Dean signifies a significant shift in his responsibilities and leadership role within the college. This role demands strong leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and administrators. As the interim Associate Dean, Siwatu's focus has broadened to encompass the entire college. He is driving initiatives to develop a college-wide strategic enrollment management plan designed to optimize the recruitment and admissions process, enhance student experiences, and ensure equitable access to quality education.

On June 1, 2024, Siwatu began his appointment as interim dean of the College of Education. Under his leadership, the Dean’s Office was restructured to include a third Associate Dean dedicated to enrollment management, with college support units realigned to strengthen oversight and accountability. He spearheaded the development and implementation of a strategic enrollment management plan, ensuring recruitment and marketing strategies advanced institutional priorities. He established clear fundraising priorities and engaged alumni, donors, and foundations to secure critical support for key initiatives. He strategically reallocated resources to address priority needs while maintaining financial stability. He forged strong partnerships with Region 17 superintendents to expand educational opportunities and outcomes, and introduced a targeted research assistant allocation model that optimized resource utilization through a strategic, needs-based approach. Committed to advancing the institution’s research mission, he championed research-intensive initiatives and redefined staff roles to ensure clarity, alignment with college goals, and enhanced performance.

Following a national search, Siwatu became Dean of the College of Education on June 1, 2025. Under his leadership, the College will produce the most effective and sought-after educators in Texas—professionals prepared not only to excel in the classroom but to lead systemic change. Graduates will possess the policy literacy and leadership skills to shape, rather than simply respond to, education policy. As a hub for innovation, research excellence, and strategic partnerships, the College will harness faculty expertise and student passion to tackle critical challenges in schools and communities across West Texas. Through impactful, policy-shaping research and a bold culture of inquiry, it will develop solutions that advance practice, inform policy, and promote educational equity, positioning the College as a national model for transforming the future of education.

Siwatu earned his bachelor's degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, his master's degree from Florida State University, and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.