Shepard will replace Dr. Shirley Stennis-Williams, currently dean of the College of Education, who has announced her retirement effective June 30.

Shepard has been chair of the Department of Educational Administration and Counseling since 2000 and achieved the rank of professor in 2002. She holds a doctoral degree in educational administration from the University of Iowa-Iowa City; a certificate of advanced studies in educational administration and a master of science degree in curriculum and supervision, both from Northern Illinois University; and a bachelor of science degree in home economics from Iowa State University at Ames.