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Education and Human Sciences Dean Pedersen to retire in 2026

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University College of Education and Human Sciences Dean Jon E. Pedersen will retire following the 2025-26 school year.

Dr. Pedersen has been at OSU since 2021. Following a national search, he was selected as the inaugural dean of CEHS, established in 2020 as the former College of Education, Health and Aviation and College of Human Sciences united.

“Over a long career at multiple institutions, my time at OSU stands apart because of the focus on our land-grant mission,” Pedersen said. “We have talented and dedicated faculty and staff, amazing students and wonderful alumni and donors who support us. The people and the collaboration we enjoy make the college a special place.”

Pedersen’s career in education spans more than 40 years. Prior to OSU, he served as dean of the College of Education at the University of South Carolina. His career includes experience as a faculty member and administrator, including appointments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Oklahoma, East Carolina University and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Since 2021, CEHS has seen significant growth, including a record undergraduate enrollment of more than 3,800 students in 2024. The number of undergraduate students in health degree programs has doubled in the last three years. The college’s graduate programs have moved up 25 spots to No. 65 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings for Best Education Graduate Schools. The college awarded $1.93 million in student scholarships in 2024-25, doubling the total from four years ago.

Dean Jon Pedersen speaking at event Additional highlights during Pedersen’s tenure include the opening of the new Ray and Linda Booker OSU Flight Center; launching the postsecondary program for students with intellectual disability Opportunity Orange Scholars; introducing a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing on the Stillwater campus; and OK-Thrive, a program to support early career teachers and boost retention.

“Every single thing we do (in CEHS) revolves around human lives and improving their existence,” Pedersen said. “I consider it both a tremendous honor and responsibility (to have served as the inaugural dean), but it’s really not about me. I can't say enough about how lucky I've been to work with the faculty, staff, students and alumni. It is rewarding.”

OSU has launched a national search for the next CEHS dean.