COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 14, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colorado Technical University, a leading provider of career-focused education, has announced the appointment of Dr. Barbara Orr as university dean of education. In this new role, Orr is responsible for the strategic planning and development of the university's education programs, including setting appropriate program standards, working with regulatory bodies and supervising curriculum development.
"This is a new position at CTU and we are pleased to have Barbara leading the effort," said Gwen Hillesheim, interim provost. "The education program at CTU will aim to prepare students to become K-12 teachers in the field of study in which they received their bachelor's degree. This is a highly innovative, online program that we are excited about developing."
Orr joined CTU in May of 2010 and previously served as the senior director of faculty performance and development. She has more than 15 years of experience in educational leadership including serving as chair of faculty professional development and performance, chair of adult education programs, professor of master's and doctorate education courses, and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education evaluator at Jones International University. She also worked as state program director for the College Tech-Prep program of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Orr brings expertise in curriculum design, faculty professional development and proposal writing for accrediting bodies. As university dean of education, Orr plans to develop a full portfolio of new education programs.
"Given the strength of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs at CTU, graduates of the education degree program will be equipped with detailed knowledge of the subject matter and the teaching skills necessary to become leaders in the classroom," said Orr.
Orr is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in fine arts and graduate degrees in organizational development and educational administration. For more information on the degrees offered through CTU, please visit: www.coloradotech.edu.
About Colorado Technical University
Founded in 1965, Colorado Technical University (CTU) provides higher education for today's career-focused students and offers them support, flexibility and resources to advance personally and professionally. In addition to degree-track programs at the associate and bachelor's levels, CTU offers master's and doctoral degrees through the CTU Institute of Advanced Studies -- an innovative approach to graduate degrees for career-motivated professionals.
CTU campuses include ground schools in Denver, Colo.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Pueblo, Colo.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Kansas City, Mo., and an internet-based division that delivers degree programs 100 percent online. In fact, the award-winning CTU Virtual Campus was recognized as "Best of the Best" in the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program. For more information, please visit www.coloradotech.edu.
CTU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more info visit www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org or call 312-263-0456. CTU is also a member of the Career Education Corporation (Nasdaq:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information, visit www.careered.com. CTU does not guarantee employment or salary.