College names new deans for learning, diversity and global engagement
The Purdue University College of Education has named new associate and assistant deans this summer.
Associate Dean for Learning
Tara Star Johnson – Program Convener/Director of English Education & Associate Professor of Literacy and Language
Based upon the unanimous recommendation of the Administrative Council (AC) of the College, Tara Star Johnson has accepted the position of Associate Dean for Learning. Johnson, program convener/director of English Education and associate professor of Literacy and Language, will oversee all undergraduate education in the College of Education and provide administrative coordination and oversight for the 17 initial teacher licensure programs and advanced educator licensure programs, housed in, or affiliated with, the College, including online programs. This includes oversight for required national accreditation of all educator preparation programs. Johnson received very positive feedback from faculty, staff and students following her open forum in the spring, and her full-time appointment begins July 1, 2023.
Johnson transferred her tenure home to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI). Formerly she was jointly appointed in the College of Liberal Arts’ Department of English and the College of Education’s EDCI. English Education will now be housed in the College of Education
Assistant Dean for Diversity and Global Engagement
Sunnie Watson – Associate Professor of Learning Design and Technology
Also based upon the unanimous recommendation of the College’s AC, Sunnie Watson has accepted the position of Assistant Dean for Diversity and Global Engagement. Watson, associate professor of Learning Design and Technology, received very positive feedback following her open forum in the spring, and her half-time appointment begins August 1, 2023.
This position fills the College’s need to better coordinate its diversity efforts. Key responsibilities include working collaboratively to coordinate the College’s diversity initiatives at the departmental, college, and university; working closely with the College’s Director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives in efforts to strengthen College efforts to recruit, retain, and support those from underrepresented groups and those committed to the advancement of diversity initiatives; overseeing all of the College’s global initiatives, including development and oversight of all study abroad programs; and serving as the College’s international liaison at Purdue, including membership on relevant university committees and initiatives.
Johnson and Watson will succeed Kathryn Obenchain, who served as the Associate Dean for Learning, Engagement, and Global Initiatives for six years.
“I again want to publicly thank Kathy Obenchain for all the efforts she has made on behalf of the College,” said Phillip J. VanFossen, interim dean of the College. “As Kathy herself has said, she’s not ‘retiring’ and will serve through July 2024 in an advisory capacity for our Innovation Initiative (I2) rollout.”
Congratulations to Professors Johnson and Watson on these appointments!
Source: Phillip J. VanFossen and Kathryn Obenchain, kobench@purdue.edu