Dr. Barri Tinkler will begin as interim dean of the College of Education (COE) on Jan. 3, 2021. She replaces Dr. David Hough, who plans to retire Feb. 1, 2021.

Tinkler is currently associate dean of the College of Education, and at the same time has served as interim department head for counseling, leadership and special education since May 2020.

“Dr. Tinkler will bring a strong history of teaching and administrative experience to the College of Education,” Provost Frank Einhellig said. “She will help COE continue its tradition of educating tomorrow’s teachers.”

Tinkler’s résumé

Tinkler earned a doctorate from the University of Denver in 2004. She joined the faculty of Towson University for one year before moving to Shepherd University in West Virginia for four years.

She then became a faculty member at the University of Vermont from 2009-2019. During that time, Tinkler also served as vice-chair for the Department of Education, and national and state accreditation coordinator. She was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Calgary in the spring of 2018. Tinkler joined Missouri State in August 2019 in her current role as associate dean.

The university will conduct a national search for a permanent dean.