Meet Interim Dean Heaston

July 15, 2019

On July 1, Amy R. Heaston, Ed.D., officially stepped into her role as interim dean of the College of Education (COE). For Heaston, this is a homecoming of sorts, as she began her higher education career nearly 28 years prior right here in the College of Education at Georgia Southern University.

Heaston, a native of Ohio, began her education career in the classroom as an elementary education teacher. She earned a bachelor’s of early childhood and elementary education from Bowling Green State University and continued her education at Ball State University where she earned a master’s and doctorate in early childhood education. 

She joined Georgia Southern in 1991, as an assistant professor of early childhood education, and moved into administrative leadership for the College in 2000, including roles as an acting department chair and director of field experiences and partnerships.

In 2004, Heaston accepted the position of acting associate provost for the University, where she served for a year prior to being named the associate provost where she served an additional five years. She was then named the chief of staff in the Office of the President at Armstrong State University in 2010, where she served prior to returning to the College as acting/interim dean.

“I am honored, humbled, and excited to serve as interim dean,” said Heaston. “I’ve worked at Georgia Southern, Armstrong State, and the consolidated Georgia Southern. And 28 years after my arrival, I am returning to my educational roots, the College of Education.”

Heaston brings a vast understanding of both the faculty and administrative roles to her tenure as interim dean. Intended to serve as the leader while the College searches for a permanent dean, Heaston’s career experiences will assist the College in creating a new strategic plan that encompasses the mission and vision of the COE as the leader and primary educator of teachers and educational professionals in the southeast region of the state. This strategic plan will, when completed, inform the College profile that will be used to search for the permanent dean. The planning process is scheduled to begin with the new academic year, with drafts due in the spring 2020 semester.

“Throughout my journey, I have held fast to the belief that there is no career more worthy than that of educator,” said Heaston. “How motivating it is to help others to pursue and achieve their dreams and aspirations. So it will come as no surprise that I value making a difference. And to make a difference, I believe that one needs to take initiative and to engage, to be a part of the solution. I also value doing what is right. And to do what is right may require courage to move beyond what is comfortable, known, and easy. Some may call me idealistic or even corny, but these values have been my guideposts throughout my career.”