FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2002 CONTACT Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE NAMES DEAN OF SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Salina Shrofel, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Education at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill., has been named dean of Drake University's School of Education, Drake University Provost Ronald Troyer announced today. Dr. Shrofel, who was selected through a national search, will begin her new position July 1. In addition to serving as dean of the School of Education, she will be professor of education. "Salina Shrofel is especially well-suited for the deanship of Drake University's School of Education," Dr. Troyer said. "She has an impressive scholarly record, exhibited remarkable leadership and accomplishment at Aurora University. Her high expectations and rigorous standards are particularly consistent with Drake's emphasis on excellence. She will be an outstanding dean of education. I am delighted to welcome Dr. Shrofel to Drake." Professor Marion Panyan, co-chair of the search committee, said the group was impressed by Dr. Shrofel's vision, abilities and accomplishments. "Dr. Shrofel demonstrated an appreciation of the issues in higher education today and the leadership skills to contribute to the School of Education and Drake in significant ways," she added. Dr. Shrofel said she first learned of Drake when she moved to the Midwest from Canada in 1999. "I was impressed that Drake was the premier comprehensive university in the Midwest," she added. "I find Drake's attention to academics very attractive. Once I visited the campus, I was sold. The faculty is high quality and both the School of Education and the University are quality institutions. I'm honored to become part of this learning community and to be asked to lead the School of Education." One of her initial goals, she said, is "to create and maintain close ties between the School of Education and the professional education community in Des Moines and Iowa." Another of her goals is "to lead the School of Education so that it can become an integral player in the reform and renewal of education locally, regionally and nationally." A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Dr. Shrofel began her career teaching English and language arts at the junior high and high school level before earning a Ph.D. in theoretical linguistics at the University of Toronto. She also holds two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Shrofel taught at Canada's Brandon University and University of Regina prior to joining Aurora University in 1999. At Aurora University, she led the design and implementation of the Doctor of Education program and now serves as chair of that program in addition to her duties as associate dean. Aurora is an independent, comprehensive university with 4,380 degree-seeking students and several thousand students in non-degree programs. Dr. Shrofel has received numerous research grants and is widely published. Her research interests include language and learning, graduate education and the study of new school faculties and programs. She is fluent in French and has taught Canadian native languages (Cree and Saulteaux) to Native students at Brandon University. She was appointed to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission in recognition of her work on behalf of women and the First Nations and Metis communities in Canada. She supported and advocated programs designed to prepare members of the First Nations and Metis communities for teacher certification. She also promoted the teaching of aboriginal languages in the schools. She currently serves on the Mayor's Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs in Aurora, Ill., and chairs the council's Youth Leadership and Service Awards Committee.