CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Susan Fowler has been named the new dean of the University of Illinois College of Education, pending approval by the UI Board of Trustees at its May meeting. Fowler is a UI professor of special education and associate dean for academic affairs in the college.
She succeeds Mildred Barnes Griggs, who has served as dean for the last five years. Griggs will retire in May.
Fowler distinguished herself among a field of strong candidates for the dean’s position, according to Provost Richard Herman.
“She brings to the post a very high level of scholarship, as well as an intimate understanding of the college and the role it needs to play in education issues both within the state and nationally. Professor Fowler combines this knowledge with an open and consultative style. She has my confidence and my strong support.”
Fowler received a doctorate in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas in 1979. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees were earned at the University of Kansas and the University of Notre Dame, respectively.
Among her honors is a Distinguished Senior College Scholar award from the UI College of Education in 1997 and a Distinguished Service Award from the Division for Early Childhood in 1997, and a Career Teaching Award from the UI College of Education in 1995. She holds membership in several honorary societies ranging from Phi Beta Kappa to the Society for Experimental Analysis of Behavior.
She came to the UI in 1990 as associate professor and head of the special education department. She was named professor in 1993 and associate dean of academic affairs in the college in 1996.
