News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, has named Alison Reeves, PhD, as interim associate dean. Reeves assumed the leadership role in September and will serve a two-year term.

“As interim associate dean, Dr. Reeves will help support faculty development, the East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS), as well as innovation and program development,” Hughes said. “While Associate Dean Paul Rose and I have certainly worked to support these areas, we know that more focused attention is needed. Dr. Reeves is the perfect fit for the role. Her skillset, knowledge and leadership are highly sought. The SEHHB will gain better footing in the educational landscape, as we benefit from her expertise.”

Hughes emphasizes Reeves’ experience as a public school leader, work with Charters, including service as a Charter school board president, and service as chair of the SEHHB Department of Educational Leadership where she has taken the lead in innovation with organizations that will help move the school forward in program development and online presence.

“Dean Hughes is a visionary leader for the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, and I’m enthusiastic about joining her leadership team,” Reeves said. “The SEHHB has incredible faculty, and this position gives me a chance to support them in their work.”

Reeves’ responsibilities will include leading:

• Educator preparation and licensure processes, such as coordinating SEHHB compliance with state and accreditor rules
• Development of new programs, including online and entrepreneurial programs
• Assessment processes that ensure the quality of our academic programs
• Recruitment and retention efforts that contribute to a diverse workforce
• Technical support for the CHS

“My passion is building high-quality programs that promote educational equity and social justice whether it is in a K-12 setting or at the University level,” Reeves explained. “Most of my new job responsibilities require building teams and coordinating their efforts in a sustained way. In my 20-plus years of experience as a K-12 administrator, program director for our educational administration program and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, I have had multiple opportunities to build and implement innovative academic programs.”

“In the SEHHB, we will be adding several high-quality online options, developing new programs and strengthening partnerships with K-12 schools in the region,” she added. “Our focus will be on recruiting diverse cohorts of students in all majors in the SEHHB and enhancing practices that support retention.”

Photo: SEHHB Interim Associate Dean Alison Reeves, PhD.