Three Universities Announce the Appointment of Women to Dean Positions

Carey L. Usher is the new dean of the Mary Baldwin College for Women at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia. Dr. Usher joined the faculty at the university in 2001. She is an associate professor of sociology.

Dr. Usher is a graduate of Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Kathy Farrell was appointed dean of the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She joined the business school’s faculty in 1993 and has served as interim dean for nearly a year. Her research focuses on executive compensation and executive succession issues.

Dr. Farrell is a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio, where she majored in accounting and finance. She holds a doctorate in finance from the University of Georgia.

Karen Pederson was named dean of the Global Campus at Kansas State University. The Global Campus encompasses the university’s online programs. Dr. Pederson has been serving as chief knowledge officer for the Online Learning Consortium. She formerly served on the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and was associate vice president for extended campuses at Northern Arizona University.

Dr. Pederson holds bachelor’s and master’s degree in textiles and apparel from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned a doctorate in home economics from Oklahoma State University.