Pokorny-Golden Named Associate Dean of the College of Education at Kutztown University

Kutztown, PA (04/25/2017) — Kutztown University has named Dr. Carissa A. Pokorny-Golden, Hellertown, Northampton County, as associate dean of the College of Education effective May 13. She is currently serving as interim associate dean this semester.

Pokorny-Golden has served as an associate professor of English and supervisor of secondary education at KU since 2004. Prior to that she taught English at Lehigh Carbon Community College and Pleasant Valley School District, Monroe County.

"In her role as interim associate dean, Dr. Pokorny-Golden has proven herself to be a hardworking, collaborative, insightful and helpful member of our leadership team," said Dr. Kenneth Teitelbaum, dean, College of Education. "She is always eager to learn more about the college, our accreditation reviews and assessments, student recruitment and retention issues and curriculum processing. We are very pleased that she will be continuing in the role. I have no doubt that she will help us to become an even stronger college than we are now."

Pokorny-Golden holds a doctorate degree from Temple University and master's degrees from both the State University of New York at Binghamton and Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the Pennsylvania State University, State College.

Pokorny-Golden began her military career in the United States Navy Reserve in 1993 and will retire in August after 24 years of service. During her time in the Navy she was awarded six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for outstanding work ethic and leadership. She received Outstanding Volunteer Medals in 2005 and 2012 and was nominated for Sailor of the Quarter in 1998 and 2003. She was named Reserve Sailor of the Year for 2003 at Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pa.

"Education has always been my passion," said Pokorny-Golden. "From my start nearly 21 years ago as a high school English teacher, to my nearly 13 years as an English professor and Secondary Education supervisor, I have enjoyed being in the classroom working with students. I consider this position a natural progression towards another goal, helping not only students to reach their goals, but also helping further the goals of the wonderful educators that we have on this campus.

"Being the associate dean means that I get to serve Kutztown University, its students, faculty, and staff every day of the year. It also means that I get to work with our dean to make our college a beacon for talented students interested in serving their communities in the areas of counseling, library and learning technologies, student affairs, and of course, teaching."

Pokorny-Golden has been published numerous times, the latest in January with "Superman Made 'Real': Teaching the Hero Cycle with Kingdom Come."

The College of Education is comprised of five departments: Counseling Education, Elementary Education, Library and Learning Technologies, Secondary Education and Special Education. It is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and offers degrees at the undergraduate level and the graduate level, including the new Education Doctorate (Ed. D.) in Transformational Teaching and Learning Program.

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