“With her extensive expertise and background in education, Dr. Steffens is uniquely qualified to advance the mission of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership,” said Jonathan Kaplan, president of Walden University. “We look forward to the insight and leadership she will bring to the college’s students, alumni and faculty.”
Dr. Steffens, formerly dean of the College of Education at St. Cloud State University, also served as assessment director, interim associate vice president for academic affairs, special education faculty member, and associate dean at the college before being named dean. She spearheaded the nation's first online National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation self-study processes. She was also co-leader of the self-study and team visit that updated the university's accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Previously, she served on the faculty of Bemidji State University as assistant professor, associate professor and professor of special education, and in several roles at the University of Minnesota, including assistant to the director and federal grants director.Dr. Steffens has served as a member and chair of the NCATE Board of Examiners, a member of the Minnesota Board of Teaching Examiners and as a national consultant on assessment and accreditation. She holds her Ph.D. in educational psychology, M.Ed. in special education and B.S. in physical education from the University of Minnesota.
