Mimi Recker Named Instructional Technology Department Head
Mimi Recker, a professor in the department since 1998, was named new department head for USU's Department of Instructional Technology.
After conducting a national search to find the best person to lead one of its premier departments, the College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University has selected one its own to head the Department of Instructional Technology.
Mimi Recker, a professor in the department since 1998, was named new department head, replacing Byron Burnham, who took over as dean of USU’s School of Graduate Studies, and Mike Freeman, who acted as interim department head for almost two years.
“The college conducted a national search for this position, and in the end we found the right person to be one of our own — a senior faculty member in the department,” said Carol Strong, dean of the college. “Dr. Recker knows the department, its students, its faculty, and its vision. Equally important, the students and faculty know Dr. Recker and support her leadership.”
Recker received her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, and her bachelor’s from the University of Pennsylvania. She has held academic positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Her research interests include digital libraries for education and design of interactive learning environments. She also studies educational uses of new media, information and communication technologies, and human-computer interaction. Recker’s research group is developing software tools, professional development programs and sustainable dissemination strategies so teachers and learners can make better use of online learning resources to help promote 21rst century teaching and learning.
“The department faculty is currently comprised of an outstanding group of young, energetic and highly dynamic people,” Recker said. “I look forward to working with them to maximize our potential.”
Recker has proven strengths in both teaching and research, Strong said. She is admired and respected as a teacher, and her cutting-edge research has attracted significant external funding. These strengths make her perfect for her role of leading this top-tier program.
“The program is easily in the top ten and probably among the top five programs in national reputation and recognition,” Strong added. “Its faculty are influential in instructional design theory and application, creative learning environments, open and sustainable learning, digital libraries and simulations. We are pleased and honored that Dr. Recker will lead the department.”
Contact: College of Education and Human Services (435) 797-1437
