UA DEAN OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS TO STEP DOWN ON JUNE 30, 2000

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Dr. Charles E. Stegman, dean of the University of Arkansas’ College of Education and Health Professions since 1995, has announced his resignation effective June 30, 2000. After that date, he will continue to serve on faculty as professor of education foundations.

"I look forward to being able to devote much more time to research, teaching and service," Stegman said. "My stepping aside now provides Chancellor White the opportunity to hire a new dean who may take the College in new directions.

"During my four years as dean, I have developed a strong and lasting commitment to the University of Arkansas and the College," he added. "I plan to continue to work as a professor to help make the College the best that it can be. Without doubt, being a professor is one of the best jobs in the world. I have always enjoyed writing grants and conducting research, teaching is a real love of mine, and I have always found consulting with clientele in professional settings to be very rewarding."

Dan Bennett, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs (to whom Stegman reports), said, "Charles Stegman’s love for and commitment to the University and the College of Education and Health Professions are conspicuous. He has worked diligently in a strategic manner to improve the College at the local, state and national levels and has proved to be a dedicated and active member of the University’s administrative team. His positive leadership will be missed."

Achievements by the College during Stegman’s tenure include:

— Changing the name of the College of Education to the College of Education and Health Professions to better reflect the range of programs in the College. Half of the students are in non-school based programs.

— Revamping teacher education from the traditional four-year bachelor’s degree program to a five-year program culminating in the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Enrollment has continued to grow and the placement rate for graduates is over 96 percent.

— Developing strong partnerships with professional groups. The teacher education program, for example, was designed and is offered in partnership with public schools in Northwest Arkansas. The nursing and health administration programs are offered in conjunction with area hospitals.

— Increasing funds for research. During the last four years, the College has received more than $20 million in research grants and contracts, reflecting the quality of faculty scholarship and expertise.

— Encouraging scholarly productivity among faculty. Over the last four years, College faculty have published 125 books or book chapters, written 849 articles, and made more than 1,300 presentations at the international, national, regional, and local levels.

— Increasing private gift support. The College has raised over $5 million in private gift support, including funds for the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, programs supported by the Walton Family Foundation, Windgate Charitable Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and the Southwestern Bell Corporation Foundations.

— Extending distance education. The College now offers 11 degree programs off-campus at sites throughout the state and selected coursework at other sites. Last year, the College generated 3,300 off-campus credit hours.

Before joining the University of Arkansas in 1995, Stegman served as dean of the College of Education at Northern Illinois University for eight years. Prior to that, he was an interim dean, associate dean and faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh.

Stegman has served as a consultant to and board member of many organizations. These include the Arkansas Council on Economic Education, the Survey Research Center, Arkansas Leadership Academy, and the Arkansas Teacher Licensure Advisory Council.

He is the immediate past president of the Arkansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education.

In addition, he has served as a consultant to organizations such as the National Board of Medical Examiners, Veterans Administration, Applied Science Association, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He is widely published and has made numerous presentations at both the national and international level. His international experience includes work with universities in Australia, Bolivia, China, Finland, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.

Stegman received a B.A. in mathematics and philosophy from St. Mary’s University (Minn.) and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

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