UNI names new education dean

CEDAR FALLS -- Dwight C. Watson has been named dean of the College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Watson will assume his duties at UNI on July 1 at a salary of $160,000, pending state Board of Regents approval in June.

"Dr. Watson brings a strong background in academic leadership, and a strong commitment to education leadership and outreach in early childhood education through collegiate education systems," UNI Provost Gloria Gibson said in a statement.  

Watson is currently associate dean of the Teacher Education Program, chairman of the Department of Education Studies and professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He earned his education doctorate in curriculum and instruction at North Carolina State University and his master's and bachelor's degrees in elementary education from the University of South Carolina.

Watson replaces Bill Callahan, who served as UNI education dean since 2007.