MOSCOW, Idaho — May 4, 2016 — The University of Idaho is pleased to announce that Alison Carr-Chellman has accepted the position of dean of the College of Education, effective July 1, 2016.

Carr-Chellman has a Doctor of Philosophy in instructional systems technology from Indiana University, and a master's and bachelor’s from Syracuse University. She comes to UI most recently from The Pennsylvania State University, where she has worked for 20 years. She currently serves as head of the Department of Learning and Performance Systems and a professor of learning, design and technology in Penn State's College of Education.

“I am honored to be joining the University of Idaho. This is a great university in a great town and my family and I are thrilled to be Vandals,” Carr-Chellman said. “The College of Education is uniquely positioned to live out the land-grant mission of teaching, research, service and outreach — a nearly sacred trust that the state and the nation have placed in us. I’m looking forward to sharing and supporting this work across the disciplines of the College of Education.”

Carr-Chellman has spent her academic career focused on school change and innovation. Her recent work has looked at how to re-engage disengaged learners through technology, such as video gaming. Under her leadership, her department has more than doubled its online operations, including two new and two re-envisioned programs, and increased faculty diversity.

“We are very excited for Alison to bring her skills and passion for creating forward-thinking, interdisciplinary and culturally aware programs to the University of Idaho,” said John Wiencek, provost and executive vice president at UI. “This is an exciting time for the College of Education, and Ali will provide strong leadership and vision for the future.”

The College of Education will be moving into a completely renovated building this summer, with classes beginning in the fall.