DANIEL FALLON, EDUCATOR, SCHOLAR AND COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR TO OVERSEE EDUCATION INITIATIVES INCLUDING HIGHER EDUCATION AND TEACHER EDUCATION REFORM
Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York announces the appointment of Daniel Fallon, professor of psychology and public affairs, currently serving as Interim Director of the Office of International Affairs at the University of Maryland at College Park, as chair of the Corporation’s nationally recognized education division, effective August 1.
"As the Corporation identifies the critical questions facing higher education in this new century, we are indeed fortunate to have a man of Dan Fallon’s background and experience to lead the education division’s work," said Vartan Gregorian. "From his work as a professor, scholar and administrator at respected universities, Dan has faced firsthand the challenges that globalization, equity and business interests pose for colleges and universities today. I know he will bring his insights, talents and trenchant analysis to the work of defining the critical challenges for institutions of higher learning which are dedicated to educating the next generation of this nation’s leaders."
The current chair of the Carnegie Corporation’s education division, Vivien Stewart, is leaving the Corporation after 28 years where she rose from a program officer to the chairmanship. She will continue her work with education as a visiting fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College where she will pursue her interest in education reform. She will also work with Olaro Otunnu, the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in building communication networks between children in countries at peace and children in countries affected by war. She will continue her current work as senior education advisor to Sadaka Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
As chair of the education division at Carnegie, Dan Fallon will lead the work on liberal arts and teacher education reform. He will oversee the Corporation’s education priorities including early childhood education and urban school reform.
"I look forward to working with Dan as we shape our educational agenda," said Neil Grabois, Vice President and Director for Strategic Planning and Program Coordination. "He’s been described as a Renaissance man by many who have worked with him and I find his breadth of experience and depth of understanding on everything from engineering to German literature to mental health invigorating. As an administrator he understands the difficult questions of this era and as a scholar he brings an appreciation for the steps needed to create solutions."
Fallon is a native of Cartegena, Colombia who grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and received his B.A. degree from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in experimental psychology from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. He began his teaching career at the State University of New York at Binghamton where he eventually became Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and of Harpur College. In the 1970s, Fallon spent a year in Germany at the University of Dusseldorf as a Senior Fulbright Research fellow and visiting professor of psychology.
In 1976, Fallon moved to the University of Colorado at Denver where he was both professor of psychology and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In 1984, Texas A&M University convinced Fallon to move to its department of psychology serving, as well, as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
In 1993, Fallon joined the University of Maryland at College Park as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost with responsibility for planning, budget, personnel and academic quality standards for all undergraduate, graduate and research programs. He also held faculty appointments jointly as professor of psychology and professor of public affairs. In 1999 he took over the interim directorship of the office of international affairs.
"There is almost nothing Dan has not done at the university level," said Gregorian, "and that is why we think he is an inspired addition to the education team that has always distinguished Carnegie’s work. We want to ask the big questions facing higher education, challenge the teaching profession to reach higher standards, and improve the experience for millions of students from pre-K through high school. Dan is the kind of leader that can make a difference."
Fallon has written extensively on higher education issues both in Germany and the United States. He has also lectured around the world about higher education policy. He is past president of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences and a founding member of the Council of Arts and Sciences in Urban Universities. With support from Carnegie Corporation, Fallon founded a national effort called The Project 30 Alliance, which is redesigning the way new teachers are educated in the U.S. Fallon is currently serving as consultant to the Teacher Education Accreditation Council and as principal staff support to the Presidential Task Force on Teacher Education of the American Council on Education.
Dan is married to Christine Fallon who shares his passion for education as a career elementary school teacher. They have two daughters, both of whom are currently doctoral students.