Robinson, Blue Named to New Academic Leadership Posts

June 24, 2011

Two OBU academic leaders have acquired new leadership posts on campus while continuing in their previous roles, OBU administrators announced Thursday, June 23.

Dr. Pam Robinson has been named as associate provost of the University, while remaining in her role as an academic dean of the newly formed College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Debbie Blue has been named as dean of the newly formed James E. Hurley College of Science and Mathematics, while retaining her role and responsibilities as senior vice president for academic services.

Dr. Pam Robinson	Dr. Debbie Blue

As associate provost, Dr. Robinson will provide oversight and leadership of institutional effectiveness and assessment as it relates to accreditation; provide leadership for new faculty orientation; and work with the Faith and Disciplines Committee to form faith and disciplines strategic initiatives.

Robinson also will supervise the assistant vice president for instructional technology who will be responsible for coordinating the implementation, training and utilization of instructional technology resources for the university.

"In her service as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Robinson has already made significant contributions to the tradition of academic excellence at OBU," said Dr. Stan Norman, provost and executive vice president for campus life. "She is an able administrator, and her abilities were most recently demonstrated as she assisted Dr. John Farris to achieve continued accreditation for our Teacher Education program. I am confident that Dr. Robinson will continue to provide strong leadership as dean of our recently reorganized College of Humanities and Social Sciences."

Robinson has served as dean of OBU's College of Arts and Sciences since 2007. A member of the OBU faculty since 1993, she was an assistant professor of special education for six years, before being promoted to associate professor. She received the rank of professor of education in 2005.

She earned her bachelor's degree in special education from Oklahoma State University in 1978. She continued her education at OSU, earning her master's degree in student personnel and guidance in 1981 and her doctorate in special education in 1996. Before coming to OBU, Robinson was director of federal programs for the McLoud Public Schools. She also served as assistant director of special education for the State Department of Education.

"I greatly appreciate and value Dr. Robinson's insights and assistance," Norman said. "She is a gifted leader, and as associate provost Dr. Robinson will use her extensive professional experience to provide direction to the areas of instructional technology, institutional effectiveness and assessment, and faith integration initiatives. We believe her service in these areas will advance the mission of OBU."

While fulfilling all the duties of an academic dean, Dr. Blue's responsibilities as senior vice president for academic affairs include developing and implementing a revised advisement structure, as well as administration of library and media services and the Intensive English Program.

Blue also maintains responsibility for OBU's Learning Communities, which are designed to give incoming freshmen the best-possible opportunity for success. At OBU, Learning Communities extend the networks created during the Welcome Week experience by assigning groups of 15-20 freshmen to three or four common courses.

"Dr. Blue comes to the role of dean as the James E. Hurley College of Science and Mathematics with a rich history of academic excellence at OBU," Norman said. "Having completed her own degree in mathematics here, and then serving as a professor of mathematics, academic dean and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Blue has a deep appreciation for the legacy of Dr. Hurley. She is the right person to serve as the inaugural dean of the Hurley College, and she will provide outstanding leadership that will continue and enhance the Hurley tradition of academic excellence for future professionals seeking degrees in these areas.

"We are pleased that she will also continue in her role as senior vice president for academic services, providing leadership in strategic academic support areas so vital to our students. We believe that Dr. Blue will advance the mission of OBU in her service as dean of the Hurley College."

Blue has served as senior vice president for academic services since 2010. She previously served as senior vice president for academic affairs. Blue was dean of OBU's College of Arts and Sciences from 1997-2006. She served as chair of the division of natural sciences and mathematics from 1991-97. She joined the faculty in 1980 as an instructor of mathematics and achieved the academic rank of professor of mathematics in 1998.

Blue earned a bachelor's degree at OBU in 1972, and she completed a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Tulsa in 1975. She earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Oklahoma State University in 1991.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Hurley College of Science and Mathematics are two of seven reorganized academic divisions approved by the OBU Board of Trustees during their May meeting. The other divisions include the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, the College of Nursing, the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry, the Paul Dickinson College of Business and the OBU Graduate School.