Dr. Deborah Curtis is the second Indiana State graduate and the first woman to serve as president of Indiana State. She earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from ISU after completing a master's degree in music education from the University of Illinois and a bachelor's in music education from MacMurray College. She also taught at University School, Indiana State's laboratory school, after which she decided to pursue her doctorate and a career in higher education.
Curtis has been the provost and chief learning officer at the University of Central Missouri since 2012. Her responsibilities included overseeing all academic programs and support services, including the university's four academic colleges, the library and extended studies, as well as enrollment management, information technology and student affairs.
Before becoming provost at Central Missouri, Curtis served as dean of the College of Education at Illinois State University from 2006 to 2012, interim dean from 2005 to 2006 and as director of the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center and Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes from 2001 to 2005. She served on the faculty of Illinois State for 26 years, advancing to the rank of full professor.
She spoke with Mark Edwards in the WFIU studios.