Gregg Garn Named Interim Dean of OU’s Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education

jc/4-12-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  OU Public Affairs, 325-1701

NORMAN – Gregg A. Garn, a teacher and researcher who has worked to improve the quality of education in the state, has been selected to serve as interim dean of the University of Oklahoma Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, effective July 1, pending approval of the OU Board of Regents. Joan Smith, who has served as dean of the college for almost 16 years, will step down as dean June 30 to return to teaching and research.

“Gregg Garn has a proven track record as an educator and as a leader,” said OU President David L. Boren. “We are very fortunate that he has agreed to serve as interim dean for the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education.  His appointment assures that the forward momentum in the college will proceed without interruption.”

Nancy Mergler, Norman campus senior vice president and provost, said, “I very much look forward to working with Dr. Garn in his new role as interim dean for the college. I and the other Norman campus deans have gotten to know him well during the time he has served as associate dean.

“I also am very pleased that Tom Landers, dean of the College of Engineering, has agreed to chair the search committee for seeking the permanent dean for the college. This signals the importance that the University of Oklahoma places on our mission to the state in growing excellence in all levels of education, from the pre-school level to graduate and professional degree programs.”

Garn, who also was appointed as interim head of the Division of Teacher Education and interim director of education personnel, currently serves as director of the K20 Center for Educational and Community Partnerships and associate dean for school and community partnerships in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. He holds the Linda Clarke Anderson Presidential Professorship and serves as a professor of educational leadership and policy studies. He also has served as the program coordinator of the Educational Administration Curriculum and Supervision.

Garn is active in several national organizations, including the Politics of Education Association, the University Council for Educational Administration and the American Educational Research Association. He has worked with state-level policymakers and professional associations to improve the quality of education in Oklahoma.  Garn’s research focuses on school choice, policy development and implementation, and the politics of education, and he has been published in such scholarly journals as Educational Administration Quarterly, Education and Urban Society, Education Policy Analysis Archives and Educational Leadership.

Garn earned his bachelor’s degree in history and education from the University of Northern Iowa and his master’s and doctoral degrees, in social and philosophical foundations of education and educational leadership and policy studies, respectively, from Arizona State University.

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