Clarken Named Associate Dean

Rodney Clarken has been named associate dean of teacher education and director of the School of Education. He had served in that capacity on an interim basis since summer 2006. Clarken previously was a professor and director of the field experience program for NMU student teachers.

“I enjoy working with faculty and staff from the school and from the various teacher education programs across the university. We have a good relationship that will enable us to continue providing the excellent programs that have been in place,” Clarken said. “We also want to expand on that quality, especially at the graduate level. One step is to offer more programs online. We’ve achieved that with science education and we’re moving two reading master’s degree programs and a learning disabilities program in the same direction. Having an online presence will enable us to look beyond the region to the nation and world for attracting students. “

Clarken came to Northern in 1989 from the University of the Virgin Islands, where he was a coordinator for the division of education and associate professor. He previously served as assistant dean of the School of Education and Human Services at the University of Detroit. 

He received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a master’s degree in general and experimental psychology from the University of Detroit and a doctorate in administration and supervision from Wayne State University. 

Before coming to higher education, Clarken taught elementary grades in a school that served the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation in Wisconsin and in elementary and secondary schools in Tanzania, Africa. He also has lived and taught in China, Botswana and Switzerland and traveled to more than 60 countries, often speaking on education. 

Clarken is the father of three adult daughters who graduated from Northern and one son who is a senior in high school with future plans to attend NMU. In addition to his administrative duties, Clarken has served as adviser to the campus Bahá'í Club and as an active member of the Marquette Interfaith Forum.