Kirsten Butcher Appointed Interim Associate Dean for Research

The College of Education announces the appointment of Kirsten Butcher as Interim Associate Dean for Research, effective July 1, 2024. Butcher has served as Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Affairs since July 1, 2023 and will continue on in this role through June, 2026.

Butcher’s appointment will deepen the College of Education’s ongoing dedication to fostering research initiatives. She succeeds Robert Zheng, who provided steadfast leadership during his interim tenure, enhancing faculty support and spearheading strategic initiatives in research funding. Butcher is heavily involved with the college, having held many other positions such as Chair of Strategic IT Committee (SITC), College of Education Honors Committee Member, and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Technology in Education (CATE).

Reflecting on Zheng’s tenure, Dean Laanan expressed appreciation, stating, "I would like to thank Robert Zheng for serving in the associate dean role this past year. He provided steady leadership and support to faculty. Through Zheng, the OFRS offered new support to CoE faculty in the research and pursuit of internal and extramural funding, which included the launch of the OFRS newsletter—a curated collection of research funding resources utilized widely across the college."

Zheng, commenting on his achievements, noted, “Over the past year, my decision to create an OFRS newsletter and my facilitation of the VPR Seed grant and COE Learnt Grant have received enthusiastic support from the dean’s office. I’ve also enjoyed the support of OFRS staff Doug Ringle and Sally Wadley, who have done an amazing job in supporting the pre- and post-award processes across the college.”

Butcher, known for her research acumen and leadership, expressed eagerness about her new role, emphasizing her commitment to advancing the College of Education’s research agenda: "College of Education faculty are at the leading edge of their fields, developing new knowledge, programs, and resources that transform our understanding of education, training, and leadership,” said Butcher. “It is my honor to be able to serve our college by seeking new ways to support and enhance faculty research. I am looking forward to working with our faculty, the CoE Office for Faculty Research Support, and the University of Utah’s Office of the Vice President for Research to empower and advance innovative research activities and to leverage high-impact funding opportunities for our college.”

Butcher’s expanded role as Interim Associate Dean for Research underscores the College of Education’s commitment to pioneering research that addresses critical challenges in education. In addition to her leadership in faculty and student affairs, Kirsten Butcher will collaborate closely with the University’s Vice President for Research, advocating for interdisciplinary research initiatives and fostering collaborative opportunities across campus.