CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - Southeast Missouri State University named Dr. Melissa Odegard dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Studies.
“Dr. Odegard is an accomplished professional in her area of expertise, a skilled administrator, and a champion of SEMO students,” said Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Doug Koch. “Her leadership will accelerate innovation, expand opportunities in high-demand fields, and most importantly, drive stronger outcomes for our students.”
Odegard has served as interim dean since Dr. Joe Pujol retired last summer. Also at SEMO, she was named chair of the Department of Psychology and Counseling in 2018. She served as interim dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2020 as well as interim vice provost and dean of Graduate Studies.
She has a Ph.D. in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State University, a Master of Science in counseling and community psychology from St. Cloud State University and a Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry from Bethel University.
“I’m honored to officially step into this role and continue working alongside dedicated faculty and staff to ensure our students are well-prepared to excel in a variety of professional fields from nursing to teaching to allied health,” said Odegard. “Our students inspire everything we do, and I’m eager to build on our momentum to strengthen programs and pathways, so our students have every opportunity to succeed.”
Odegard will start her role on June 1.
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