Elizabeth A. Dooley has been named interim dean of the College of Human Resources and Education at West Virginia University.

“Elizabeth’s background in curriculum development and her association with the college for 20 years, coupled with her experience as associate provost for undergraduate academic affairs, makes her a unique choice to lead the college turning out premier teachers for West Virginia, especially in the STEM disciplines,” Provost Michele Wheatly said Friday in announcing the appointment.

Dooley’s appointment is effective Aug. 15. She replaces Dee Hopkins who has been reassigned.

“Elizabeth understands the importance of strengthening West Virginia’s K-12 classrooms and areas within human resources as they relate to youth and adult populations and community engagement and how to go about doing it,” Wheatly said. “She will be good for the college and good for the University.”

Dooley, who has served as associate provost since May of 2009, said she was excited to lead her home college, where she is a professor of special education and curriculum and instruction.

“If West Virginia is to compete effectively in the 21st Century, it is imperative that it has strong educational and support systems to turn out the best-educated, best-prepared students it can,” she said.

Dooley will serve while a national search is conducted for a permanent dean. She will also continue as associate provost.

Dooley earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Alderson Broaddus College in 1979, a masters in special education from WVU in 1986 and a Ed.D. in special education and educational leadership from WVU in 1989.

She has taught in Harrison County public schools as well as in the Department of Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University. Prior to being named an assistant professor at HR&E, she held several positions at WVU, including interim director of the Center for Black Culture and Research and director of the campus program of the Health Sciences & Technology Academy. She was named a professor in special education in July 2005. She also was chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for 10 years prior to her appointment as associate provost.

Hopkins was appointed dean in 2008.

The College of Human Resources and Education includes six academic departments:

• Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling & Counseling Psychology
• Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies
• Educational Leadership Studies
• Special Education
• Speech Pathology & Audiology
• Technology, Learning & Culture

Additional centers and projects, such as the International Center for Disability Information, assist the College in accomplishing its goals.

-WVU-

jb-bl/8/01/11

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