Brooke named interim chair of human development and family studies at Iowa State University

April 22, 2008

Brooke named interim chair of human development and family studies at Iowa State University

Corly Brooke

AMES, Iowa -- An expert on fostering effective faculty and learning communities has been named interim chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Iowa State University. Corly Brooke, a professor in HDFS, will lead the academic department with nearly 800 students and 35 faculty members.

"Dr. Brooke brings a magnificent amount of administrative acumen and deep knowledge about how to get things done in the university.  We are extremely fortunate that she has agreed to serve in this important, interim role," said Cheryl Achterberg, dean of the College of Human Sciences.

As director of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Brooke has overseen faculty development programs at Iowa State since 1998. Under her leadership, the scope of CELT was broadened to include Preparing Future Faculty, a program that prepares graduates for faculty careers, as well as programing on the scholarship of teaching and learning. CELT's learning technologies program was also expanded. and several CELT services were moved to the recently-renovated Morrill Hall.   

She has also served as co-director of Iowa State's learning communities since 2001. The program has been listed among the top 25 learning communities in the nation by U.S. News annually since 2003. 

Brooke will retire from both the CELT and the learning communities positions on June 30. 

Long recognized as one of Iowa State's most outstanding teachers, Brooke has received a number of university awards for teaching and service to students, including the J.H. Ellis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching, the AMOCO Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Presidential Service Award.  In 2004, she was recognized by the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education for innovation in faculty development.

Her scholarly work focuses on building engaged learning communities and effective professional development for college and university faculty and staff.  She has taught the large introductory HDFS course on individual and family life development for the past eight years. She has also taught and written about human sexuality education as well as child development.

She earned a bachelor's degree in child development from Iowa State university in 1968, a master's in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1973, and a Ph.D. in early childhood education from the University of Minnesota in 1973.

"I look forward to this opportunity to serve as interim chair in the department that gave me the undergraduate education that began a wonderfully rewarding career path for me" states Brooke.  "I return to work with wonderful colleagues and exciting programs.  Following my service as interim chair, I am excited to return to my continuing passion for teaching."

Brooke began her career as a teacher in a Head Start program in Minneapolis, Minn. She then worked in K-12 public schools before joining the Iowa State faculty in 1976. Following a number of promotions, she was named a professor in 1995.  She directed Iowa State's Child Development Laboratory School from 1984 until 1987.

HDFS administers the undergraduate program in early childhood education jointly with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. HDFS also offers undergraduate programs in child, adult and family services as well as family finance, housing, and policy. The HDFS graduate programs include life span development; family policy and practice; and early development, care and education as well as specializations in family financial planning and gerontology. The Child Development Laboratory School , Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, and Family Financial Clinic are also administered by HDFS.

Contacts:

Corly Brooke, professor and interim chair, human development and family studies, 515 294-2402.

Cheryl Achterberg, dean, College of Human Sciences, 515 294-5380.

Cathy Curtis, communication specialist, College of Human Sciences, 515 294-