FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May, 3, 2004

CONTACT: Brooke Benschoter, (515) 271-2017, brooke.benschoter@drake.edu

McMAHILL NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF DRAKE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Jan McMahill, associate dean of the School of Education and director of Extension Services at Drake University, has been named interim dean of the School of Education, effective June 1. She will succeed Dean Salina Shrofel, who will continue to serve as associate provost for strategic initiatives and professor of education at Drake.

In announcing the appointment, Drake Provost Ron Troyer said, "Jan McMahill has contributed much to Drake University over the years and her work as director of Extension programs has been exceptional. She has developed the skills needed to handle the challenges confronting the School of Education. Her commitment to Drake University is remarkable. She is well-prepared to serve as interim dean of the School of Education."

McMahill began her education career as an English teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools. She then served as director of Special Projects at Iowa Central Community College and director of Language Arts for Fort Dodge Community Schools. In 1989 she joined Drake as associate dean of the School of Education and director of Extension Education - the school's distance learning division, which serves more than 10,000 students a year across the United States and in Canada.

McMahill has been active in distance learning since 1992. She is the founder of the Iowa Distance Learning Association and former president and board chair of the United States Distance Learning Association, which honored her with its Distinguished Service Award in 1998.

Now in her fourth term on the USDLA Board of Directors, McMahill recently was selected by the board as one of six educators to finalize a set of requirements for the accreditation of distance learning programs. She was inducted into the International Hall of Fame by the International Distance Learning Association at its 1998 Teleconferencing Convention.

She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Drake University and a Ph.D. in industrial education from Iowa State University.