MU Provost Announces New Dean of the College of Education
March 23rd, 2010
Daniel Clay has been named as the dean of the College of Education at the University of Missouri.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Daniel Clay, associate dean for administration, research and innovative programs at Auburn University’s College of Education, has been named as the dean of the College of Education at the University of Missouri. The appointment is effective June 1, 2010.
“Dr. Clay comes to us with a broad academic background and has personal connections to Missouri,” MU Provost Brian Foster said. “In our visits, he saw the big picture, and I believe that he will provide very strong leadership. I’m excited about the future with him at the helm of the College of Education.”
Clay received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Saint Scholastica in Minnesota, and his master’s degree and doctorate from MU. In 2008, he attended the Management Development Program at Harvard University. Prior to his appointment at Auburn, he worked as the associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University and was director of the University of Iowa Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program.
“The MU College of Education has an outstanding reputation for high quality faculty and staff, and its academic programs are highly regarded nationally,” Clay said. “It’s a transformative time in education in general. With that challenge comes an opportunity for innovations in teacher education and the health care field to better serve the people of the state and the region. The recent closing of schools in the state demonstrates that we have a lot of work to do.”
Currently, Clay is president of the American Psychological Association’s Division 54. He also is a member of the University Research Council, International Programs Advisory Council and the Outreach Advisory Council at Auburn. He is a fellow of the American Educational Research Association and American Psychological Association, and a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. His research focuses on the best ways to integrate children with chronic health conditions into the education system.
“MU also has a strong personal meaning to me; I’m the first person in my family to go to college,” Clay said. “The University of Missouri completely transformed our family. Once I completed my master’s and doctorate programs, I invited my sister to live with me, and she finished her degree here. Being at MU started the higher education process for my family. It allowed us to enjoy opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without Mizzou. As dean, I want to make sure that the faculty, staff and students have opportunities to reach their goals.”
Clay replaces Carolyn Herrington, who left the post in August 2008. Rose Porter, former dean of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, has been serving as interim dean.