University News
Smith-Skripps Named Dean of College of Education Through 2003-2004
September 16, 2002
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Smith-Skripps has served as the college's acting dean since Dec. 1 and was associate dean from 1999 prior to assuming leadership of the college. She is also an associate professor in the department of educational administration and supervision.
She served as the COEHS assistant dean from 1995-1998, and also as the interim chair of the department of counseling and college student personnel. Her appointment through the 2003-2004 academic year will allow the University to complete a national search for a provost and academic vice president during the 2002-2003 year and provide time for the new provost to oversee a search for dean.
"Dr. Smith-Skripps experience and knowledge will enable her to lead the college as it serves in the role of preparing educators and training professionals," Stiffler said.
From 1988 to 1995 Smith-Skripps was the director of special projects for the College of Education at WIU. Prior to that appointment she was the coordinator of the former Macomb Projects. Smith-Skripps began her career at WIU as an instructor in the English department in 1975.
Since 1981 she has served in various administrative capacities on state and federally funded grants which focused on early childhood special education; rural education issues; adult education; and instructional technologies. She has published and presented nationally on these topics as well. She currently serves as director of a United States Department of Education Star Schools professional development project funded for $9.2 million over a five-year period.
Smith-Skripps also spearheaded Westerns partnership with the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) regional educational laboratory, offers PREL an online masters degree in instructional technology and telecommunications to a cohort of educational leaders in the Pacific islands.
In fiscal year 2001, under Smith-Skripps' leadership, the college's externally funded awards totaled more than $10.6 million. During the most recent fiscal year the college received 34 awards which totaled $8.6 million.
Smith-Skripps received her Ph.D. in educational administration from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale in 1993. She received her education specialist, master's and bachelor's degrees from WIU. She serves as vice chair of the multi-state United Star Distance Learning Consortium and was recently appointed to the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Committee on Technology in Teacher Education. She has served as a member of the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory Rural Education Advisory Council and has co-chaired the Illinois Education and Technology Conference for the past several years. Smith-Skripps has served as a member of the WIU administrative negotiating team, the Affirmative Action Council, the distance learning contract committee and on several search committees.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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