By Tom Hutton

Mary L. Snyder

Mary L. Snyder, currently dean of the University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Education, will begin her leadership of the UCCS College of Education July 1. Her appointment was announced by Provost Peg Bacon following a national search. She replaces David Fenell who has served as interim dean since July 2010. Fenell plans to return to the faculty in the Department of Counseling and Human Services.

"Dr. Snyder's long experience in leading the preparation of teachers, administrators and counselors, as well as serving as an administrator of K-8 school, is unique," Bacon said. "I believe she will provide outstanding leadership in a field that is vital to the future of southern Colorado."

Since 2003, Snyder has served as UA's dean of education where she led the College of Education's accreditation in 2005 and 2010, implemented improvements in the use of technology, built community partnerships and focused education faculty on issues facing educators working with students from preschool through master's degrees. Previously, she served as assistant professor, associate professor, and professor of education at Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Mo., as an assistant professor and administrator of the Campus School at the University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa., and as a visiting professor at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in special and elementary education from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She has published across a wide range of areas including education leadership, charter schools, educating Latino students and improving student teaching experiences. Her awards include the Missouri Governor's Award for Teaching in 2002.

"I am thrilled to have been selected as dean of UCCS's College of Education," Snyder said. "During my campus visit, I was pleasantly surprised with the scope of the college's initiatives and impressed by the commitment demonstrated by faculty and staff. I'm confident my experience with distance education, data systems and diversity can support the exciting efforts already under way. I look forward to serving the College of Education in expanding and enhancing their good work."

The UCCS College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and offers master's and doctoral degrees, and, in cooperation with the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, teaching certifications for undergraduate students. The College of Education is known for its focus on multicultural education through  partnerships with educational institutions in Asia, including Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village at Yeungjin College in South Korea.