Leadership continues with Dean Mulholland

Colleen S. Mulholland was approved to continue as dean of the College of Education at the April 7 meeting of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.  

Mulholland was one of three final candidates following a rigorous selection process that began in fall 2021. Prior to her selection, she served as interim dean and then dean on a limited-term appointment after the departure of former dean Gaetane Jean-Marie in July 2019.

“Dr. Mulholland demonstrates a true passion for the development of future educators and professionals and an understanding of the trends we must address and be prepared for that will impact our graduates from the college’s multiple areas of emphasis,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Jose Herrera. “I look forward to working with her to not only maintain, but strengthen, the legacy of this leader in education.” 

In a feature in InsideUNI, Mulholland shared that her move into administration was somewhat accidental while working on her EdD.

“I tell this story pretty often, but I fell into (teacher education) by accident,” she said. “I think I mistakenly took the wrong professional development class, but it got me on the list to host student teachers from the University of Central Florida, because I was also teaching at that time. After having four or five student teachers in my classroom, I just knew that being a teacher educator was my future path, and I didn't even know it was a pathway until then."

A University of Kentucky graduate in middle school education, Mulholland holds a master’s degree in instructional systems design and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in curriculum and instruction from the University of Central Florida. A former middle level teacher who remains nationally board certified in adolescent/young adult English language arts, she also serves as professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.