Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson named new EHS dean; Provost Shapiro says she stood out throughout search process
The search for the new dean of the College of Education and Human Services has come to an end, and Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson will be taking over the position beginning July 1.
Pehrsson is currently serving as the associate dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and has another decade of administrative and professorial experience as well. When she starts the job, she will earn a salary of $154,500.
She was a finalist for seven other positions at different universities around the nation, but chose to go with CMU because of its great programs and faculty, Pehrsson said. She expressed great excitement over taking the position and looks forward to living close enough to campus to be able to walk or ride her bike to her job.
"I chose CMU because I loved the programs I saw there, the variety and the faculty," she said. "They were very interested in student engagement and reducing class sizes to have more personal relationships with students. That really stood out for me and was so important. I love to teach, and this university was a good fit."
Provost Gary Shapiro announced the appointment of Pehrsson as dean Thursday, and said she was the best match for the position.
“Dr. Pehrsson stood out as a top candidate throughout every step of the search process,” Shapiro said in a news release Thursday. “Her experience clearly positions her as a leading teacher, scholar and administrator whose leadership and vision will continue to move the College of Education and Human Services forward.”
Pehrsson will lead five departments as the new EHS dean, as well as 13 educational centers and 185 faculty and staff.
Kathy Koch has been serving as interim dean since 2009, following the unexpected death of former dean Karen Adams, and will return to the position of associate EHS dean. Shapiro thanked Koch for her service to the university.
In a forum to review Pehrsson as a candidate, held Feb. 7 in the EHS Building, Pehrsson discussed the future of education, and how the field has been evolving in recent years. She emphasized the implications of a globalized world, where students must learn to communicate and adapt to be successful.
"Education is going to a point where students will need to be very globally and culturally aware," she said at the forum. "International training and education is not only critical, but necessary."
Pehrsson also emphasized the importance of communication within the college and with faculty, saying she was not interested in working in a divisive environment.
"As a dean, the biggest and most important thing is to keep the faculty informed," Pehrsson said.
Pehrsson confirmed this idea of open communication, saying her first priority after coming to Michigan will be to get to know the faculty and students.
"I will only make changes after learning the input of the faculty and students," she said.
At the forum, Pehrsson also discussed how to tackle problems facing educational institutions despite a lack of resources. She proposed a plan of action having the faculty collaborate and bring ideas to the leadership, and then deciding on the best plan together so everyone can move forward.
"Money and staff are not forthcoming anymore, so we need to find creative ways around this," Pehrsson said.
Though Pehrsson has been in similar positions before, she said she was eager to take on new challenges and projects at CMU.
"If you're looking for someone with a desire to learn, that would be me," Pehrsson said.
