New Dean at Plymouth State Business School

Plymouth State University has selected Robyn E. Parker as its next dean of the College of Business Administration. Parker has been a professor of business at PSU since 2009 and was recently named director of instruction for the College of Business Administration. Her appointment begins July 1.

“Robyn Parker has the skills and experience to facilitate growth and support student, faculty and staff in achieving their best,” said Julie Bernier, PSU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “She has particular expertise in project management and designing and leading effective organizations, both of which will be important in higher education’s dynamic environment. She has the experience to be the next leader of the College of Business Administration; to work collaboratively with the faculty in building a vision with shared outcomes and to facilitate a process in which the college realizes its goals.”

Parker has 25 years of experience in higher education and more than 15 years of management experience from both within and outside of higher education. Prior to coming to PSU in 2009, Parker was a faculty member and director of undergraduate programs for the School of Communications at Kent State University in Ohio. As chief recruiter for undergraduate programs, she realized 28 percent growth in a time of institutional enrollment decline.

“These are exciting times in higher education, but filled with opportunities to do things in new and innovative ways,” Parker said. “PSU’s College of Business Administration is well-positioned to take full advantage of these opportunities. I am thankful to be working with a dedicated and dynamic faculty, staff and administration and look forward to working with them and our community to continue PSU’s tradition of education and outreach.”

Parker has dedicated her career to studying the effects of new communication technologies both in the classroom and the workplace. A seasoned trainer and instructional designer, she sees value in improving and strengthening online learning technologies. Parker received grant funding in support of her work from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and the Ohio Learning Network. A published author, Parker’s “Redesigning Courses for Online Delivery” was released last year as part of the Cutting Edge Technologies in Higher Education series. Additionally, Parker is co-developer of a newly launched web application designed to facilitate collaboration on student project teams in traditional and online settings.

Parker earned her doctorate in organizational communication from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in human resource development from Boston University.