Dr. Teresa Beam has been appointed Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education at the University of Southern Indiana, effective July 14.
As Dean of the Pott College, Beam will report to the Provost and exercise broad responsibilities for leadership and management of the College, its programs, finances and people.
“Dr. Beam offers both depth and breadth of leadership experience,” said Shelly Blunt, Provost. “She is dynamic and innovative with a proven ability to work collaboratively across departments to advance institutional goals.”
Beam most recently served as Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Before joining St. Mary’s University, she held several significant leadership positions, including Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics at Manchester University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She also served as Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences at the University of Saint Francis, also in Fort Wayne, where she is now Professor Emerita.
Her career is marked by the development of successful undergraduate, graduate and online degree programs in STEM and health fields, with a focus on genomic sciences and precision health initiatives.
Beam earned her doctorate in biology from the University of Notre Dame and has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, encompassing teaching, research, faculty leadership and executive-level administration.
Her research includes genetic engineering of the piggyBac transposable element, which led to a U.S. patent, multiple publications and licensing agreements. She has received numerous teaching awards and grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Her educational philosophy emphasizes project-based learning and cross-disciplinary student engagement. During her career, Beam has focused on providing STEM engagement experiences for youth, with a focus on those in communities where opportunities are limited.