Dunn 'well-prepared' for state superintendent job
by Pete Rosenbery
 CARBONDALE,
Ill. - Randy J. Dunn, chair of the Department of Educational
Administration and Higher Education at Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, is well prepared for his new role as interim state
superintendent of education.
The Illinois State Board of Education appointed Dunn, who is from
Chester, to the post Sept. 20. He was the choice of Gov. Rod R.
Blagojevich.
Dunn's background as a public school administrator,
superintendent, professor and department chair will serve the state
well, said R. Keith Hillkirk, dean of SIUC's College of Education
and Human Resources. Dunn's experience is "very valuable right
now in education," said Hillkirk.
"Policymakers and educators are recognizing the need for as
much seamlessness as possible from pre-school through graduate
school. So the fact that Dr. Dunn has the breadth of experience and
understanding of education from both a public school and higher
education perspective will be invaluable in his new role,"
Hillkirk said.
Dunn joined SIUC's faculty as an associate professor in 1995 and
became a professor in April 2003. He became chair of the Department
of Educational Administration and Higher Education in July 2000.
Dunn is "well-known and respected throughout the
state," Hillkirk said, adding that Dunn's selection also
reflects positively on the University.
"I think that it is very positive for SIUC to have one of
its administrators and professors be selected," Hillkirk said.
"It's a nice personal honor and recognition for him but it's
certainly positive for the University to have one of their own
chosen."
Before coming to SIUC, Dunn was an assistant professor in the
department of educational leadership at the University of Memphis.
He began his career as an elementary school teacher in Gibson
City from 1980 to 1983. Dunn then served a year as grade school
principal in the Paw Paw district before becoming principal at the
Roanake-Benson district middle school, where he served until 1989.
He served as superintendent of the Argenta-Oreana School District
from 1989 to 1991, then served as superintendent of the Chester
Community School District from 1991 to 1994.
"As a colleague, I believe Randy is well-prepared to assume
the position and provide the kind of leadership the governor is
expecting," said Norma J. Ewing, associate dean for academic
and student affairs in the College of Education and Human Resources.
"I think it is an excellent choice given his training,
experience and strong commitment to the field of education."
Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an
emphasis on reading education from Illinois State University in
1980. He earned his master's degree from ISU in educational
administration and foundations in 1983, and a doctorate in
educational administration from the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign in 1991.
Supporting and fostering faculty excellence is among the goals of
Southern at 150: Building Excellence through Commitment,
the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it
celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.
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