Jan Smith named interim dean of education

  Tuesday, July 26, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University Provost Lynette Olson has announced the appointment of Jan Smith as interim dean of the PSU College of Education. Smith is assuming the role while Dean of Education Howard Smith serves as interim associate vice president for enrollment management and student success. Both interim assignments are for one year.

Olson said Smith’s strong academic qualifications and her demonstrated willingness to serve the university whenever and wherever needed made her a great choice to lead the College of Education on an interim basis.

“Dr. Smith is one who steps up when asked to help,” Olson said. “Her first response is always one of what can she do to help the university be successful. She is well qualified to provide strong leadership for the College of Education over this next year and I look forward to working with her in an expanded role.”

Smith has been a member of the faculty in the College of Education for more than 20 years, so she understands the college and its mission well.

“I look forward to the opportunity to serve the college in a different role for the upcoming year,” Smith said. “I feel fortunate that we have a very experienced leadership team and dedicated faculty and staff within the college.  This will positively impact continued success of the college during our time of interim leadership.”

Olson said that while she serves as interim dean of the College of Education, Smith will continue her duties as assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness. That unit collects and disseminates information that guides the university’s decision-making process for strategic planning and improvement. The office assists the entire university improve accountability and participates in accreditation activities at the state, regional and national levels.

“Dr. Smith is the inaugural leader of the unit for Institutional Effectiveness and has proven her ability to lead,” Olson said. “Working with others, she provided leadership for our very successful reaffirmation of Higher Learning Commission accreditation in 2013. Most recently, she provided leadership for the development of the Pathway to Prominence Strategic Plan.”

Olson said that as Smith takes on additional responsibilities in the College of Education, other administrators, faculty and staff will be asked to take on some new roles for the coming year.

Smith earned a master of arts degree in psychology from the University of Dundee in Scotland, a master of science degree in clinical psychology from the University of Idaho and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Wyoming.