UA College of Continuing Studies Names New Dean

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Carolyn Carson Dahl, dean of continuing education at Eastern Michigan University, has been named new dean of the College of Continuing Studies at The University of Alabama.

Dr. Nancy Barrett, UA provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced the appointment, which is effective Oct. 29.

Dahl, who earned a doctorate from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, has been in her current position at Eastern Michigan since 1998, providing overall program leadership for Continuing Education and Public Service. In her current capacity, Dahl was successful in designing EMU’s first off-campus continuing education center. Within her first year, she expanded off-campus programs by 33 percent, while expanding student credit production by 24 percent. Additionally, she developed a new marketing campaign, instituted a new financial management system and strengthened ties with academic units and external constituencies.

From 1983 through 1998, Dahl served the University of Illinois-Champaign, where she was assistant director for outreach partnerships from 1996-1998. Prior to that position at Illinois, she served as head of conferences and institutes.

“I am excited about joining The University of Alabama community,” said Dahl. “Continuing Education at UA has an excellent reputation nationally, and I am pleased to be a part of its success.”

“Dr. Dahl has a stellar track record of leading and expanding a major continuing studies program, and the outstanding initiatives and aggressive plans she put forth at Eastern Michigan are truly impressive. She will certainly be an asset for The University of Alabama, and we look forward to much success in the future under her leadership,” Barrett said.

Dahl replaces Dr. John C. Snider as dean of Continuing Studies. Snider, who has served as dean since 1990, will retire in October to spend more time with family, while possibly returning to the classroom to teach.

UA’s College of Continuing Studies delivers educational opportunities to non-traditional students through off-campus degree programs, Weekend College, evening classes, distance education, child development training, independent study, professional development courses, and a wide variety of professional workshops, seminars, conferences and institutes.