EOU names new dean of business and education

New dean looks forward to growing business & education programs, strengthening community partnerships

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3740 | ua@eou.edu

May 15, 2013

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Donald Easton-Brooks, Ph.D., is the new dean of the colleges of business and education at Eastern Oregon University.

He comes to EOU from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minn., where he has been the associate dean of education and an associate professor since 2010. During that time he was also the interim director of Hamline’s Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching.

Easton-Brooks’ first day on campus is June 26, and he is excited to begin engaging in EOU’s work to serve its immediate region and beyond.

“I am looking forward to helping the colleges of business and education respond effectively to the needs of students, EOU and the communities we serve,” he said. “I feel that we can work well in partnership with our communities and assist them as they grow, both in the classroom and in their businesses.”

Easton-Brooks was selected following a national search that included on campus interviews and meetings with university students, faculty and staff. He replaces Dan Mielke, acting dean since 2011.

“The search committee did an outstanding job and I would like to thank all of them and express my appreciation for their efforts,” said Steve Adkison, provost and vice president for academic affairs at EOU.

“Dr. Easton-Brooks’ experience and leadership will be welcome additions to our colleges as we move ahead in our plans for EOU’s future. I am very much looking forward to having him and his family as members of the community,” Adkison said.

Easton-Brooks spent his early academic career at the University of Colorado Denver, where he completed a doctor of philosophy in educational leadership and innovation, and a master’s in early childhood special education. His dissertation is on using socioeconomic indicators to predict the academic outcomes of African American students.

He later taught at CU, the University of North Texas, Seattle Central Community College, Pacific Oaks College, also in Seattle, and with the public school systems in Aurora and Westminster, Colo.

Other positions include guest lecturer at Metropolitan State University of Denver, the University of Connecticut, where he was assistant dean and director of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advisory Center, and the University of Rhode Island.

Easton-Brooks brings a philosophy of leadership through service to his new role at EOU.

“It is important to understand all the dimensions at play and facilitate opportunities to gain resources to help programs do what they do best, and that is serve students and the community,” he said. “As a leader, it is critical that I work with the colleges to address challenges and use their strengths to create opportunities for growth.”

Easton-Brooks is the founder and current president of Stats Assistance, a consulting firm. He said one of his top priorities is to ensure the colleges of business and education have “strong data-driven systems in place.”

His other areas of focus include continuing to provide quality programs on campus, online and onsite, and developing strong partnerships with schools and businesses in Eastern Oregon and other communities where EOU has a presence.