Date: November 8, 2004
Contact: Michael Hopkins
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: m-hopkins@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, November 8, 2004 – Governors State University announced the appointment of Dr. Steven C. Russell as dean of the university’s College of Education today. The appointment became effective November 7.
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Dr. Steven C. Russell
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“I am excited to be joining the faculty and staff of Governors State University and the College of Education,” Russell said. “GSU’s programs are highly regarded, and I hope to be able to work with faculty, staff, and students to continue and build on this reputation.”
Russell added that he is looking forward to working within the diversity of the GSU community. “I hope my experiences will enhance the fabric of life at GSU and in the College of Education.”
Governors State’s provost, Dr. Paul Keys, said that in addition to his work within the university setting, Russell’s priorities will place an emphasis on the college’s relationships with south suburban Chicago communities and school districts.
Russell comes to Governors State from the College of Education and Technology at Eastern New Mexico University, where he served as dean. There, Russell also kept his hand in the classroom, maintaining a professorship in Special Education.
Prior to his position as dean in New Mexico, Russell served as dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University for three years.
Russell was associate dean for academic affairs at Bowling Green State University from 1994 to 1999.
A professor with more than 20 years classroom experience, he taught for the Departments of Special Education and Communication Disorders at Bowling Green and served as coordinator of Graduate Studies for several years.
Russell earned his Ph.D. in Learning Disabilities, Language Development and Disorders from the University of Michigan, and his Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Toledo.
“The university is quite pleased to have Dr. Russell on board,” said Keys. Keys said that the university placed a high priority on finding a candidate of Russell’s caliber, who can follow up on the many elementary and secondary education opportunities available to the university.
“Simply put, he has the experience and leadership we want heading up our College of Education,” he said. Keys added that Russell’s track record of prepping colleges for accreditation and reaccredidation by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education, known more colloquially as NCATE, was of particular interest to the university.
“Our College of Education and Professional Education Unit earned NCATE accreditation in 2002,” Keys said. “That’s the gold standard for teacher education programs. GSU went through NCATE’s accreditation process with no weaknesses found and no areas for improvement cited. We insist on that level of quality at GSU, and we actively sought a candidate who will keep our education programs at the highest standard for quality and effectiveness.”
Keys said that in addition to Russell’s knowledge of NCATE, his expertise with the educational needs of minorities, women, and students with disabilities made him the stand-out candidate for the position.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Dean Russell to the GSU family,” Key said.
Russell will report directly to the Provost Keys.
