Penn State’s dean of the College of Education, Kimberly Lawless, will resign effective October 15 to return to the classroom, the Penn State Administration announced Thursday.

During her six-year tenure, Lawless launched numerous new programs and initiatives for the college, including undergraduate programs such as the social justice in education minor, a master’s program in medical education, and an online doctorate program. These additions helped prospective teachers put Penn State at the top of their list, with the undergraduate program seeing an 11% increase in enrollment and a 34% increase in credit-hour generation under her leadership, according to the University.

An interim dean has not yet been appointed, while the search for a permanent replacement will begin later in the semester.

“It has been an extraordinary honor to lead the Penn State College of Education on such a bold and ambitious trajectory,” Lawless said in a release. “Together, we have reimagined what is possible in teaching, learning, and research. The lasting impact of these changes can be seen in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.”

Dr. Lawless is a nationally recognized scholar in educational psychology. Authoring over 100 scholarly articles throughout her career, her research centers on STEM education and focuses on how technology and real-world applications can engage underrepresented students.

Returning to teaching in Penn State classrooms, Lawless will gain an insider’s perspective on the use of artificial intelligence in education, allowing her to closely examine how education may need to be reimagined with the advent of AI. She will lead an in-depth analysis of AI’s influence on teaching and learning, and, through establishing a national collaborative, explore how AI can further advance education. The findings will guide the provost in shaping future AI-driven strategic initiatives.

Lawless’s return to teaching underscores Penn State’s commitment to evolving with the changing landscape of education and technology.