College of Ed names Pitney Associate Dean for Research, Resources and Innovation

William PitneyWilliam A. Pitney has been named Associate Dean of Research, Resources and Innovation at the NIU College of Education, effective July 1st.

Currently a professor in the Athletic Training Program within the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, (KNPE), Pitney’s research focuses on employment issues experienced by athletic trainers in various practice settings. As such he has investigated professional socialization, role strain, work-family conflict, mentoring, and professional development. His administrative experience includes director of resources and planning in KNPE, athletic training program director, president of the faculty senate, and executive secretary of the university council.

“I am so pleased that Bill will be taking on the role of Associate Dean for Research, Resources and Innovation,” Dean Elish-Piper commented.  “Because he approaches his work with a trustee mentality and his leadership from a servant-leader perspective, and I am confident that he will be able to make many meaningful contributions to help lead the College into the future.”

In his new role, Pitney will lead several initiatives on behalf of the college, to include: leading the development of a research cluster focused on innovation in teacher education; developing and overseeing professional development, mentoring, and job coaching for faculty and staff and creating new innovative faculty initiatives related to e-learning and other methods of delivery for courses, conferences, and symposia.

Prior to NIU, Pitney worked as an athletic trainer at the clinical, high school, and intercollegiate settings. He has since spent 21 years as a faculty member at NIU where he has had a consistent record of productivity including over 60 refereed journal publications, four textbooks and dozens of presentations. Moreover, he has held professional leadership posts as the Editor-in-Chief of the Athletic Training Education Journal, section editor of the Journal of Athletic Training, chair of the Board of Certification’s Task Force on Continuing Professional Education. Pitney’s role as an educator and scholar has earned him many recognitions including the 2013 Outstanding Educator Award from the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association, the 2013 Dedicated Service Award from the Illinois Athletic Trainers’ Association, the 2015 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), and, later this month, he will received the 2016 Sayers “Bud” Miller Distinguished Educator Award from the NATA’s Executive Committee on Education.

Regarding this new appointment, Pitney shared, “our college has exceptional faculty and staff. I am honored and excited to be in this leadership position to work collaboratively with such great individuals. I look forward to playing a role in fulfilling the vision of making the College of Education the best place to study, teach, work, serve, and conduct research. I will strive, therefore, to create an environment that promotes research and scholarly activity, supports professional development, and encourages innovation. ”

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education (with specialization in athletic training) from Indiana State University; a master’s degree in physical education from Eastern Michigan University; and a doctorate in adult continuing education from Northern Illinois University.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email