Professor of economics Brian Peterson has been appointed associate dean of curriculum and faculty development for Central College.

Peterson, who has also served as class dean and mentored Central’s honors students, started his term this month.

“I’m excited about looking at academics from a very, very broad perspective,” Peterson said, “guiding curriculum moving forward, thinking about assessment and finding ways to help faculty do their jobs even better.”

Peterson says he will miss working closely with students. “It’s been fun watching people develop over the period of their time here at Central,” he says. “I’m saddened I won’t see it in the classroom, but I’m excited that I’ll see it on a larger scale.”

At Central, Peterson has also served as chair of the faculty personnel and faculty policy committees. In 2011, he received the Dr. John Wesselink Award for Outstanding Performance in Institutional Service

Vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty Mary Strey said Peterson’s extensive leadership experience will serve him well in the new position.

“Brian is well prepared to provide effective guidance in faculty development, curriculum, policy and programs that work at the interface of curriculum and other academic programs,” says Strey.