Peterson named associate dean for research and graduate education

Carla Peterson, a professor of early childhood education, has been named associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Human Sciences. The three-year, half-time appointment begins July 1.

 

"Dr. Peterson is a perfect fit for this position as the College of Human Sciences continues to evolve.  Her record of grantsmanship and experience with the Experiment Station should serve faculty in the college broadly and she is eager to enhance and promote graduate education in the college as well," said Cheryl Achterberg, dean.

 

Peterson joined the Iowa State University faculty as an assistant professor in 1992 and was promoted to professor this year. Earlier in her career, she directed early care and education centers, served as an early childhood consultant, and coordinated research projects at the University of Minnesota.

 

Her recent research centers on designing interventions for helping young children at risk, measuring the integrity of intervention documentation, and determining the effectiveness of home interventions. She has served on research and outreach teams that have received more than $6 million in external funding, primarily from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and state government agencies.

 

With Iowa State University colleagues, Peterson received the Dean's Research Recognition Award from the College of Human Sciences in 2006, for a study on measuring preschool quality. She received the Research Excellence Award from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences in 2000.

 

Peterson will fill the position held by Thomas Andre, who will return to the faculty on June 16. Andre has served as associate dean for research and graduate education since 2006.

 

"We are grateful for the contributions that Dr. Andre has made to the college and respect his wish to return to faculty," said Achterberg. "Dr. Andre is eager to devote himself full-time to research efforts in science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) education.  It is a major need in Iowa and the entire nation with plentiful opportunities for funding, collaboration, and a variety of activities."