Grand Valley names new dean of School of Education

Elaine Collins, former dean at West Shore Community College in Scottville, began new duties as dean of Grand Valley State University's School of Education on July 1.

Collins had served as dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Shore for three years. Prior to that, she was dean of Academic Studies at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Mass.

At Grand Valley, Collins replaces Anne Mulder, who had served as interim School of Education dean for two years. Collins said she looks forward to her new role.

'I see the position as both a positive challenge and a calling,' she said. 'It's an enormous responsibility to educate the next generation of teachers to address today's educational challenges. For me, it is the most exciting job in higher education.'

Gayle Davis, GVSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Collins brings experience and a broad background in liberal arts to the position.

'I know Dean Collins will contribute greatly to the School of Education at Grand Valley, building on Dean Mulder's successes of the past two years,' she said. 'I'm looking forward to working with her as she moves the school forward.'

While at West Shore, Collins was instrumental in developing an Honors College. She also oversaw departmental budgets, personnel, strategic plans, and student retention. Collins, a New York native, received a bachelor's degree from the University of California Los Angeles, master's degree from UC-Davis, and a doctorate from Ohio State University.