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Creation Date
1999
Description
Karen Adams appointed to the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences as first woman academic dean at WKU.
Dr. Adams, dean of the college of Education at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville since 1994, will begin July 1.
"I'm very excited about coming to Western Kentucky," Dr. Adams said. "The institution has for years had an excellent reputation not only as a university but also the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences as a progressive and exciting program."
She said the leadership of the president and provost are strong and the college offers a variety of programs.
WKU President Gary Ransdell said Western is fortunate in hiring Dr. Adams.
"Karen is the best of an outstanding pool of candidates. We are honored to welcome Karen as a leader and a scholar," he said.
"It is also gratifying to welcome Western's first female dean."
Barbara Burch, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Dr. Adams will be assuming an important leadership position at Western.
"She is a nationally-respected leader who will bring much strength and vision to the College and the University," Dr. Burch said. "The commitment of the University and the College of Education to the preparation of teachers for our elementary and secondary schools is one of long standing. The state leadership has placed a renewed priority on the improvement of education at all levels and in K-12 grades in particular. The importance of teacher education and the role of the university in achieving highest quality teachers for every student is an imperative."
Dr. Adams said she brings experience in higher education along with a background in teaching. "I also think a strength I have is that I have been very involved professionally as an education dean," she said. She is president of the Teacher Education consortium of State and Colleges and Universities. "In this role I have been able to work with what is happening in teacher education, what are the emerging concerns and what are areas of growth and challenges for faculty," she said.
Dr. Adams said the role of dean is that of a facilitator to provide a working environment that helps faculty develop. "I hope to assist faculty in whatever ways I can for them to grow professionally to strengthen themselves and to build on the continued growth and quality for the College of Education."
Dr. Adams has been chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Tennessee Tech, chair of the Division of Education at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., and an assistant professor of elementary education at Columbia Bible College in Columbia, SC.
Dr. Adams has a doctor of education degree from the University of South Carolina, a masters of education and arts from the University of Virginia and a bachelor of arts from the University of Texas. She is a member of the President's Task Force on Teacher Education of the American Council on Education.
"Dr. Adams comes to us with a rich background of experience and successful leadership in preparing teachers and leaders for P-12 schools," Dr. Burch said. "She also understands well the richness of resources among the faculty and departments in the College, and the potential to make a significant difference in the quality of education in ways that will advance the goals of the region, the Commonwealth and the nation. She is also strongly committed to the importance of the globalization of our curriculum and the special importance of expanding diversity in our staffing, students and curriculum. [Press Release: Karen Adams to be New Education Dean at Western Kentucky, 6/7/1999]
Keywords
Western Kentucky University