Darlene Bressler Named Vice President, Academic Dean at IWU

Dr. Darlene Bressler has been named Vice President and Academic Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana Wesleyan University. Bressler was on the faculty at Houghton College in New York for 27 years before coming to IWU in September. IWU and Houghton are sister institutions sponsored by The Wesleyan Church.

Bressler will succeed Dr. Dwight Jessup, who is serving as IWU’s interim Vice President and Academic Dean for the 2008-09 academic year. She will be responsible for providing academic leadership for all aspects of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bressler has served as Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences since September 2008, working closely with Jessup. When she assumes her new role, Bressler will be the second woman to serve on the IWU President’s Cabinet.

"She brings to her new position an unusually articulate grasp of, and commitment to, liberal arts as the foundation for personal and professional growth," said Dr. David Wright, IWU Provost and Chief Academic Officer. "She also has an impressive personal record of excellence in teaching and administration."

Bressler earned her bachelor’s degree from Geneva College and her master’s degree from Wilkes University, both in Pennsylvania. She has a doctorate, with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction, from the University of Rochester in New York.

In addition to teaching at Houghton College, Bressler served four years as Chair of the Education Department and four years as Associate Academic Dean, which was an elected faculty position.

In 2004, Bressler received the Student Government Association Award as Teacher of the Year at Houghton.

"Dr. Bressler is a long-standing member of The Wesleyan Church," said Dr. Henry Smith, IWU President. "Her understanding of the Wesleyan tradition will enable her to support our heritage and advance the mission of IWU."