Bice, a two-time graduate of Auburn University's College of Education, recently received the 2009 University Council for Education Administration's Excellence in Educational Leadership Award.

Bice, who studied mental retardation while at Auburn, joined the Alabama Department of Education  in 2008. His responsibilities include oversight of curriculum and instruction, assessment and accountability, federal programs, prevention and support services, information systems, special education, instructional leadership and evaluation, the Alabama Reading Initiative  and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative  .

Before serving as a local school superintendent and high school principal, Bice gained experience in a broad assortment of categories. He also worked as a special education teacher, psychometrist, career technical director and alternative school director. While a local school superintendent, he served as an adjunct professor in the College of Education. He has also served as the state president of the Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development  and as president-elect of the School Superintendents of Alabama  .

Bice, who earned a master's degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, has also completed post-doctoral work at the University of North Carolina and at Harvard University.

The UCEA  is a consortium of institutions of higher education, which works to advance the practice and preparation of educational leaders. The College of Education can trace its involvement in the organization back to Truman Pierce, who served as dean from 1955-1975.