Augustana selects new dean, a ‘teacher and scholar at heart’

March 14, 2018

This piece is presented by Augustana University

Colin Irvine has been named Augustana University’s senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university.

Irvine will succeed Susan Hasseler, who was named president of Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio. For the current academic year, Jerry Jorgensen, associate vice president for graduate and continuing education, is serving as interim dean.

President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin said Irvine’s commitment to innovation and discovery, faculty development, cross-campus collaboration and student success make him a perfect fit for the university.

“Dr. Irvine is a thoughtful and engaging scholar, a passionate educator, a champion for the liberal arts and a proven leader with 20 years of experience in higher education,” Herseth Sandlin said. “I believe he is exceptionally well-suited for this role, and I’m looking forward to welcoming him to the Augustana community in June.”

Irvine will join Augustana from Carroll College in Helena, Mont., where he serves as senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college.

At Carroll, Irvine has worked closely with faculty to develop a Center for Teaching Excellence, and he has been instrumental in helping lead an initiative to revise the college’s core/general education plan, administer a faculty workload analysis, guide the development of a $1.3 million Anthrozoology Research Center, support the establishment of Carroll’s first master’s degree program and formulate a leadership structure to facilitate innovation and academic program development.

Irvine said he is looking forward to the opportunity to serve at Augustana.

“I cannot begin to express my excitement about the opportunity to join the Augustana University community at this particular time in its impressive and storied history. I am truly honored to work alongside President Herseth Sandlin and her leadership team with and for this faculty and staff in service to the students’ hopes and dreams,” he said.

“A teacher and scholar at heart, I am so thrilled to be coming to a place that values, above all else, the many amazing ways that teaching and learning change not only lives and careers but also entire communities, both local and global. I am eager, moreover, to contribute in whatever ways I am able to a mission that values and blends the liberals arts and professional programs in ways that bring the world into labs and classrooms, and that sends our students out into the world fully ready to serve and inspire.”

Before joining Carroll College, he spent 12 years at Augsburg College — now Augsburg University — in Minneapolis where he served in various roles associated with the Office for Undergraduate Research, the Honors Program, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Admissions. He also taught courses in composition, education, literature and environmental studies. He is the recipient of two Fulbright Awards and also has taught and studied internationally. In 2012, he received the Augsburg College Excellence in Teaching Award.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Carroll, a master’s degree in American studies from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in English from Marquette University.

Following the completion of his master’s degree, Irvine spent three years teaching English and history at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho. While at Marquette, he was awarded the Arthur J. Schmitt Memorial Fellowship, as well as the John D. McCabe Excellence in Teaching Award.

Want to stay in the know?

Get our free business news delivered to your inbox.



Augustana selects new dean, a ‘teacher and scholar at heart’

Colin Irvine has been named Augustana University’s senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university.

News Tip

Have a business news item to share with us?

Scroll to top