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JRCoE Names New Associate Deans

 

JRCoE Names New Associate Deans

The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education announced that Assistant Professor Aiyana Henry and Associate Professor Curt Adams will take on new roles as associate deans in the college. Henry will become the associate dean for professional education, while Adams will take over the role as associate dean for research and graduate studies. Both begin their new duties on July 1.

 

"This was a very difficult decision and highlighted the amazingly talented faculty we have in the college, said Dean Gregg Garn. "I also want to thank the members of the search committees who provided helpful insights and feedback. Drs. Henry and Adams are both well-respected in their fields and have shown a commitment to advancing the efforts of this college in service to our students and faculty."

 

They replace Teresa DeBacker and Lawrence Baines, who will continue to serve the college in their faculty roles.

 

"I want to thank Dr. Teresa DeBacker and Dr. Lawrence Baines for their exceptional service in these roles," Garn said. "They have done tremendous things to advance the college these last several years, and we look forward to continuing to work with them."


Associate Dean for Professional Education Aiyana Henry

Aiyana Henry has served as an assistant professor in the Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum since 2013. In that role, she has coordinated the Elementary Education program and teaches several classes that cover critical inquiry, parent and community partnerships, and elementary student teaching.

 

Henry earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of New Mexico and a master of science degree in education and doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from Baylor University. Prior to coming to OU, she taught at Baylor, as well as with the Waco Independent School District. She has presented across the country covering such topics as intern reflections and beliefs, identity in the mobile teacher, and community-parent partnerships

 

Henry serves as a Dunham Faculty Fellow and is a member of the Provost Advisor Committee for Classrooms and Scheduling. She also serves on the JRCoE undergraduate scholarship, diversity and technology committees. Henry was the recipient of the JRCoE Teaching and Advising award in 2016, and the ILAC Teaching and Advising award in 2015.


Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies Curt Adams

Curt Adams came to OU in 2007 and was elevated to associate professor in 2013 in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Adams has been co-director of the Oklahoma Center on Education Policy since 2010, where he conducts research on social-psychological conditions in school systems, accountability policy, improvement science and performance measurement. In 2014, he was awarded the Linda Clarke Anderson Presidential Professorship for outstanding contribution to the university, field and community through research, teaching and service. He conducts research on the social-psychology of school systems, performance measurement, accountability and improvement science.

 

He has worked on research and evaluation projects with Union Public Schools, Dallas Catholic Schools, Tulsa Public Schools, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Seattle University Youth Initiative, to name a few. He has mentored 25 doctoral students to degree completion since 2010 and was named the ELPS Faculty of the Year winner in 2010, 2012 and 2016.

 

Adams earned his doctorate in educational administration and policy studies from Oklahoma State, with a bachelor's degree in history and master's degree in school psychology from the University of Tulsa. Before entering higher education, Adams was a history teacher and student counselor in Tulsa.

 

A member of the American Educational Research Association, Adams has served as a reviewer for numerous publications and is a member of the editorial board for Educational Administration Quarterly.