FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Betsy Orr, associate professor of vocational and adult education, has been named to a three-year term as associate dean for student services and undergraduate studies for the College of Education and Health Professions.

She replaces Annette Digby, who left the U of A to accept a position at another university.

" Dr. Orr has an outstanding track record working with undergraduate students and with those in the college’s M.A.T. program," said Sharon B. Hunt, interim dean of the college. "I am extremely pleased that she has accepted the position of associate dean. She has the experience and proven leadership skills to contribute significantly to the recruitment and retention goals of the College of Education and Health Professions."

In her 10 years with the university, Orr has played leading roles at the departmental, college and university levels. As associate dean, she will be responsible for guiding the undergraduate programs of the college and leading the Sylvia Hack Boyer Center. The primary advising and student services office for undergraduates in the college, the Boyer Center is a key component in the college’s recruitment and retention plans.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to help advance the mission of the College of Education and Health Professions as the premier college in the nation in the development of scholar-practitioners in education, health and human services," Orr said.

Orr received a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Arkansas, Monticello, and she went on to earn a master’s in education in 1987 and her doctorate in education in 1994, both from the University of Arkansas. After nearly 10 years as a teacher and administrator with the public schools in Springdale, she joined the faculty of the UA department of vocational and adult education in 1989. Orr was instrumental in the college’s successful bid during the 1999-2000 academic year for continuing accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

With a focus on vocational education and use of technology in teaching, Orr’s expertise has been published frequently in professional journals and has presented papers and workshops at numerous conferences and meetings, internationally, nationally and in the state. She was recognized as the department’s outstanding teacher in 1994 and 1998, and she was recognized as outstanding researcher in 2000. Other honors include being named to Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, and she was named Arkansas Business Teacher Educator of the Year for 1997.

Orr is a member of numerous state and national organizations, including the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators; the Arkansas Business Education Association; Delta Kappa Gamma; Delta Pi Epsilon, which she co-sponsors; and Phi Delta Kappa.

An Arkansas native, Orr has lived in Fayetteville for the past 22 years. She is married to Gary Orr and has two sons, Brent and Shane.

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