POPLAR BLUFF – Three Rivers College is reorganizing it's academic leadership structure, and has appointed a long-time division chair to the new position of Dean of Academic Instruction.

Dr. Mary Lou Brown, former division chair for Business, Math, Education, Science and Technology at Three Rivers, will serve as the Dean of Academic Instruction. Brown will oversee the administration of all academic curriculum at Three Rivers.

“Dr. Brown’s experience in the classroom, curriculum development, collaboration and articulation, and divisional leadership over her 24 years with Three Rivers has been instrumental in bringing the college to where it is today,” said Dr. Wes Payne, Vice President for Learning at Three Rivers.

Brown was selected based on input from an interview committee, a college wide forum, and responses to questions during the final interview with college president Dr. Devin Stephenson and Payne. Payne reported that the retirement of several high-level staff members has allowed the college the opportunity to re-examine academic leadership roles and functions.

“I have determined that there is an opportunity to reorganize the instructional functions of the college to better ensure efficiency and student success,” said Payne. “To that end, the three divisions of Humanities and Social Science; Health and Human Services; and Business, Education, Mathematics, Science, and Technology will be eliminated.”

According to Payne, two instructional divisions will be formed instead: The academic division, which Brown will oversee, will house the general education and transfer programs of Three Rivers. The second division will focus on the career education and workforce development functions of the college. The position of Dean of Career Education and Workforce Development will be filled on an interim basis while a search is conducted.

“As the college continues to move forward, the personnel in leadership roles need to be excellent collaborators, efficient delegators, creators of opportunity, partnership developers, and ‘big picture’ visionaries,” stated Payne. “The Dean of Academic Instruction must be an individual who thrives in a transformational environment and possesses a great tolerance for adaptation and change.”

Faculty and staff noted during the open forum that experience, delegation of duties, management style, and conflict resolution were important factors in their assessment of the candidates. A number of personnel believed it important that the selected candidate possess a doctoral degree.

“I have always needed to work in a job where I feel passion for what I do, and where I feel that I can make a difference,” said Brown, who has worked for Three Rivers for 24 years. “I am excited and humbled to have been selected for this Dean’s position. I am happy to be part of the leadership team that will take Three Rivers to the next level.”

Brown holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri, and has taught and worked at Three Rivers since 1988, having previously worked as a math teacher in schools across the U.S. She lives in Poplar Bluff with her husband.