Reynolds named Dean of the School of Education at USC Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate has selected a new dean for its nationally-accredited School of Education following a rigorous search process. Laura Reynolds, Ph.D. will begin her duties on January 22.

“We are most excited to have Dr. Reynolds join our academic leadership team as she brings expertise in accreditation and assessment, and she was responsible for the preparation, evidence collection, and re-accreditation of the University of Michigan – Dearborn campus by the Higher Learning Commission.,” said Dr. Clif Flynn, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “USC Upstate serves as a critical force in fulfilling regional and state workforce needs and serves as a major engine of social and economic development. Our School of Education plays an extremely vital role in that it prepares graduates to excel as reflective, effective leaders in classrooms and schools as well as more broadly in our increasingly complex global society.”

Reynolds, who is returning to South Carolina where she received her Ph.D. in educational psychology and research methodology at USC, said “I am excited and honored to join the School of Education in this role, and to be a part of a team and campus community focused on student success, academic innovation, and strategic development. In the face of growing national teacher shortage, the faculty and staff of the School of Education at USC Upstate are poised to be innovative and responsive as we continue to prepare highly-qualified educators and exercise science professionals to meet the needs of our region and beyond. I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the work of USC Upstate.”

At UM-Dearborn, Reynolds was an associate professor of educational psychology and had served as the associate dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services from 2014 to 2017. Previously she served for more than two years in academic affairs and the Office of the Provost as chief assessment officer and accreditation lead for campus-wide assessment and planning. Reynolds earned her M.A. in American history from Midwestern State University and her B.A. in Multidisciplinary Social Science from Michigan State University.

As an academic and researcher, Reynolds has been involved in classroom and clinical assessment and instruction, focused on inter-rater training, validity, and reliability. In conjunction with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Reynolds and a colleague created the supporting materials and documents for Ride the Tiger – a national PBS film on bipolar disorder.

Additionally, Reynolds does significant research in the field of play and human development, focusing on outdoor play. She partners with non-profit organizations in India and in Vietnam to create and evaluate urban and rural playgrounds targeting improved child outcomes and community health. Reynolds recently returned from Hanoi where she had the opportunity to give two invited presentations and conduct fieldwork on street play and urban playgrounds.

The USC Upstate School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and its professional preparation programs are approved by the South Carolina Department of Education and the respective professional organizations. It offers bachelor’s degrees in early childhood, elementary, middle level, secondary, physical education and special education – learning disabilities, as well as master’s degrees in early childhood, elementary, and visual impairment, which is the only program of its kind in South Carolina.

About USC Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate is a regional, comprehensive university that offers more than 40 bachelor’s degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, nursing, and teacher education, and master’s degrees in education, informatics, and nursing. These degrees help students to transition easily to careers in the Upstate region. USC Upstate is committed to fulfilling regional and state workforce needs and thus the university is a major engine of social and economic development.  Comprised of a diverse and dynamic community of approximately 6,000 students from 26 states and 17 countries, USC Upstate is a wonderful blend of traditional and nontraditional students who reflect the Upstate’s rich international character. USC Upstate offers a balance of strengths that, when added up, results in a learning experience that is hard to match. The academic programs are accredited and highly ranked, with amazing research and internship opportunities for students. USC Upstate has its main campus in Spartanburg, the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics and the UPSTATE Gallery on Main in downtown Spartanburg, a location in Greenville, and a growing number of programs online. The USC Upstate Spartans, which fields 17 varsity sports, compete on the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Nearly 30,000 alumni have earned degrees from USC Upstate and approximately 85 percent choose to remain in the Upstate region to build their lives and careers, making a significant impact of the region’s economy and quality of life. Learn more at www.uscupstate.edu.