By By DANIELLE MILLER
Image courtesy of Indiana University
Marvin Lynn has been appointed as the next dean in the School of Education at IU South Bend. He is currently serving as associate dean for teacher education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, according to a press release.
The challenges Lynn expects to face when taking the dean position have to do with enrollment.
“All over the country the School of Education is experiencing challenges. One is enrollment issues. We struggle to make sure we are recruiting the right amount of students and maintaining them. This is going on where I am currently and all over the country,” Lynn said in a phone interview.
“My first impression [of IUSB] was really good. I found it to be very connected to the community. People are friendly and work together well. I look forward to being in a friendly collaborative environment. I had the privilege of seeing the new building. It was very impressive,” he said.
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire has a comparable student population with 10,578 compared to IUSB’s 8,490, according to the US News college ranking and reviews website. However, the campus size is 337 acres at Eau Claire and 80 acres at South Bend.
“The campus is small and more manageable. I spent some time at UCLA, Columbia and University of Maryland as a student but I prefer a smaller campus. It’s quaint. I look forward to that,” said Lynn.
He also mentioned other similarities among the two universities.
“It’s very similar to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in that its part of a system of regional campuses and research based. We also have campuses in Milwaukee and Madison like Indiana University has campuses in Bloomington and Indianapolis. It’s similar in expectations and the role we perform in the state, and [it’s] mainly undergraduate,” he said.
“He has a lot of experience in higher education and different roles,” said Karen Clark, interim dean of the IUSB School of Education. “He has critical race theory and urban education experience. He has a lot of qualities that make him a good match for the School of Education. I think he’s going to do a great job. He has the expertise that will benefit people and we are very excited he’s coming.”
Clark will reclaim her position as the associate dean of education once Lynn takes his new position on July 1. The dean of education that preceded Lynn was Michael Horvath who, according to Clark, left to take a position as provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of West Georgia.
“Change is constant but I think it has to happen in as collaborative way as possible,” said Lynn.
