Dean Jose E. Coll
Dr. Susan Jeffords, Portland State University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, has appointed Jose E. Coll to Interim Dean of the College of Education, starting July 1st, 2021.
Dr. Marvin Lynn, Dean of the COE since 2017, is stepping down as dean at the conclusion of his contract on June 30, 2021. Dr. Lynn will be taking a sabbatical for the upcoming academic year to devote time to his scholarly work in the field of race and education, and will then start in a new position as a tenured faculty member at the university.
Dean Coll began at PSU as the Dean of the School of Social Work in 2019, where he will continue his work alongside this new role. Previously, he held administrative and faculty positions at Texas State University, University of Southern California, and Saint Leo University.
“I continue to be impressed by the commitment to and passion for the mission, values, and purpose of the COE that is so evident in the work of the college’s faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Jeffords. “I am confident that Dean Coll, along with Associate Dean Tina Anctil, will continue this work, ensuring a strong future for the College of Education.”
Dean Coll was born in Havana, Cuba and migrated to the United States during the 1980 Mariel Boat Lift. After serving as a noncommissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Saint Leo University, his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision from the University of South Florida.
His research interests have been predominantly on worldview development and counseling veterans with a focus on veteran transition. He is the author and co-editor of numerous publications, including: The Counselors Primer for Counseling Veterans, Linus Publications; co-editor of The Handbook of Military Social Work, Wiley Press; Student Veterans in Higher Education: A Primer for Administrators, Faculty, and Advisors, Oxford Press and Civilian Lives of U.S. Veterans: Issues and Identities, Praeger Publishing.
"The College of Education at Portland State University has a long, vibrant history of educating teachers and human service professionals since 1949,” states Coll. “Today, we continue to be a pillar in our community and state, educating the largest, and most diverse, number of teachers in the State of Oregon. As Interim Dean, my goal and vision is to engage our community to ensure the continued success of our strategic plan, support our ongoing efforts to enhance and strengthen our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to ensure a safe work environment that promotes collaboration and transparency."
"It will take all of us to engage in visionary thinking and transformative practices to reach our shared vision in the college. I am honored to be a part of this journey with you all.”