The College of Education is welcoming two new members to its administration.

Two new half-time associate deans of education have been appointed in the College of Education. Larry Ebbers, professor of professional studies in education, and Dan Reschly, distinguished professor of psychology were appointed effective Sept. 16.

Reschly will also serve as associate director of the Research Institute for Studies in Education.

The new deans were selected after David Williams, current associate dean of education, announced his desire to return to teaching and research. Williams will remain in his administrative position through the end of this month to help ensure a smooth transition.

“David Williams has served the college loyally these past few years and now is assisting us in the transition,” said Camilla Benbow, interim education dean.

Ebbers, who served as assistant dean for the college from 1976 to 1984, has administrative experience as well as a strong grasp of education within the college and in state and national realms, Benbow said.

Ebbers received a Miller Faculty Fellowship for 1996-97 and the Robert H. Shafer Award for Academic Excellence as a graduate faculty member from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in 1996.

“I’m very excited about working with Dean Benbow and the rest of the members of the faculty,” Ebbers said. “One of our primary thrusts will be to implement the plans we’ve developed in conjunction with the university to make the College of Education one of the top five in land-grant universities,” he added.

Reschly has held a joint faculty appointment with the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences since 1975. He has earned a national reputation for his research in school psychology and assessment, and oversees several funded research projects, Benbow said.

Reschly is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Charter Member of the Iowa Academy of Sciences’ Panel on Goals 2000 and the Education of Students with Disabilities.

“Our goals are to enhance the quality of programs generally and to help the college improve research,” Reschly said. “We’re building on the strengths that already exist in the College of Education, and we think these strengths provide a basis for the future development of the college,” he said.

Benbow feels confident about the direction the College of Education is taking.

“Larry Ebbers and Dan Reschly will bring new energy and vision to the College of Education,” she said.