Education dean named president of Johnson State College

Elaine Collins, dean of the College of Education, has been named president of Johnson State College in Vermont. The appointment became public in February.

Collins’ last day at Grand Valley is June 30; a national search will be conducted to find a replacement. Longtime education professor John Shinsky has been named interim dean of the College of Education, effective July 1.

Collins came to Grand Valley in 2003 to lead the College of Education, which houses the largest graduate program at the university. The college is comprised of approximately 4,000 students, 175 faculty and 25 staff members. Before coming to Grand Valley, Collins served as vice president of Arts and Sciences at West Shore Community College and interim vice president of Academic Affairs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

“Elaine brought a rich background of teaching and leadership experience to Grand Valley, where for the past decade she has successfully negotiated the very difficult political environment that has characterized teacher preparation and certification,” said Provost Gayle R. Davis. “It is no surprise that her talent and experience have attracted another institution to select her as its president. We will miss her at Grand Valley where she has served so very well, and we wish her all the best in her new position.”

Collins led the College of Education through two successful national accreditations, receiving commendations for faculty quality and academic partnerships. Under her leadership, the College of Education strengthened its programs through partnerships with local museums, school districts, community colleges and businesses.

Collins received a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of California at Los Angeles, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of California at Davis, and a doctorate in educational policy and leadership from Ohio State University. Collins chairs the Professional Teacher Education Advisory Council and serves on the Advisory Board for Sustainability.

In past years, she has served as president and member of the executive board of the Michigan Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and has represented Michigan’s public university education deans on the State Board of Education’s Professional Standards Commission. She has also chaired both Leadership West Michigan’s Urban Center Revitalization/Education and Arts/Education Initiatives.