Matthew Koehler was promoted to become the MSU College of Education’s associate dean for faculty and academic staff affairs in fall 2023. He was previously the assistant dean for faculty affairs.
Under his leadership, the college has seen the creation of or improvements in the ways the college recruits and retains faculty leaders.
He oversees the reappointment, promotion and tenure (RPT) for tenure stream faculty, and the review and promotion of fixed-term faculty and academic staff (FTFAS). He works with college and department leaders to develop or revise policies related to faculty and academic staff development, hiring, appointment, re-appointment, promotion, mentorship and evaluation. He also works with leaders to develop and implement programs that help faculty and academic staff to advance in their professional careers.
“During the period when I served as interim dean and now from the vantage point of my role in the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, I have seen how much thought, time and energy Matthew Koehler has invested in improving processes relating to the careers of faculty and academic staff in the College of Education,” said Ann Austin, interim associate provost and associate vice president for faculty and academic staff affairs at MSU. Austin is also a professor in the college’s Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) unit. “His dedication has enhanced processes concerning faculty involvement in academic governance and the promotion processes for fixed-term faculty and tenure-system faculty. He approaches his responsibilities with a commitment to equity and fairness, efficiency and effectiveness, and compassion and care.”
As part of his commitment to the college, Koehler is also championing efforts to increase nominations of faculty and staff for university, national and international awards to better recognize their efforts. Koehler and Associate Dean Emily Bouck are also creating internal college awards.
Koehler joined the college in 2000. He helped integrate new facets of programming to create what is now known as the Educational Psychology and Educational Technology Ph.D. program and was instrumental in developing the innovative online college master’s programs. In addition to his responsibilities as associate dean, Koehler is a scholar whose research broadly focuses on the integration of technologies in education.