Walden University Selects Dr. Kate Steffens as Dean of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership

Minneapolis—July 16, 2009—Dr. Kate Steffens has been named dean of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University. Named for the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education under President Clinton, the college is Walden’s largest, with more than 37,000 students and alumni. In her role as dean, Dr. Steffens will be responsible for accreditation and program review as well as academic oversight of 10 programs and 43 specializations and concentrations in the college.

“With her extensive expertise and background in education, Dr. Steffens is uniquely qualified to advance the mission of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership,” said Jonathan Kaplan, president of Walden University. “We look forward to the insight and leadership she will bring to the college’s students, alumni and faculty.”

Dr. Steffens, formerly dean of the College of Education at St. Cloud State University, also served as assessment director, interim associate vice president for academic affairs, special education faculty member, and associate dean at the college before being named dean. She spearheaded the nation’s first online National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation self-study processes. She was also co-leader of the self-study and team visit that updated the university’s accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Previously, she served on the faculty of Bemidji State University as assistant professor, associate professor and professor of special education, and in several roles at the University of Minnesota, including assistant to the director and federal grants director.

Dr. Steffens has served as a member and chair of the NCATE Board of Examiners, a member of the Minnesota Board of Teaching Examiners and as a national consultant on assessment and accreditation. She holds her Ph.D. in educational psychology, MEd in special education and BS in physical education from the University of Minnesota.

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership offers programs that support the needs of educators at all levels, from preschool through higher education and at all stages of a teacher’s career, including new and veteran classroom teachers, experienced faculty members and administrators, and career-changers interested in teaching. For the third year in a row, Walden has the No. 1 largest online graduate program in education by enrollment, according to U.S. News & World Report.

About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 33,000 students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master's or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides every student with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities Network—a global network of more than 42 online and campus-based universities in 20 countries.

Walden offers more than 36 degree programs with more than 140 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include: health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org.