College Welcomes New Dean
Ann C. Crouter (“Nan,” as she is known by everyone), professor of human development, director of the Social Science Research Institute, and director of the Consortium for Children, Youth and Families, has accepted the position of dean of the college, effective June 1.
Crouter has a long history at Penn State, joining the faculty in the College of Health and Human Development as assistant professor of human development in 1981. She was promoted to associate professor in 1987, and professor of human development in 1993. “The College and the local community of State College have been my home for more than twenty-five years,” says Nan. “Both of our children were born and grew up here, and I passed through all the significant professional milestones involving tenure and promotion here. I have lived here longer than in any other place, and my roots are deep. Given this history, you can imagine that it’s a special joy and honor for me to be able to ‘give back’ to the College.”
During her Penn State career, she was professor-incharge of the graduate program in human development and family studies for six years and director of the Center for Work and Family Research (2002-06). She has been director of the Social Science Research Institute and director of the Consortium for Children, Youth and Families since 2006. Nan’s research focuses on work and family in different populations and points of the life span. Through her research, she has examined how people’s experiences at work affect their health, well-being, psychological development, and family relationships; how those experiences affect their parenting and the health, well-being, and development of their children; and how family life makes its mark on people when they go to work. For details, check Crouter’s Web site at www.hhdev.psu.edu/hdfs/faculty/crouter.html online.
Nan earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from Stanford University in 1976, and her doctorate in human development and family studies from Cornell University in 1982. She has won numerous fellowships and awards, including Penn State’s Faculty Scholar Medal for Excellence in the Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2006; the Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award from the College of Health and Human Development in 2004; and the President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration of Research, Teaching and Service in 1999.
From 1988 to the present, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Christian Children’s Fund, and from 2005 to 2006 served as the chair of this international, nongovernmental organization serving children, families, and communities in need around the world.
“As I meet with faculty in each of our academic units in preparation for my new role, I am continually impressed by the breadth and depth of our College’s commitment to improving people’s health and well-being across the life span,” says Nan. “Our teaching, research, and service is focused on improving people’s lives in almost every possible way: what we eat, how we spend our leisure time, how we care for our children, and how we exercise, to name just a few. It is a privilege to lead a College with such a long tradition of, and such potential for, addressing critical issues facing our society and the world.”
Nan’s husband, Bill Tolan, is a pediatric psychologist in private practice in State College. They have two children—Andy, age 23, and Sarah, age 20—as well as two “joyful but under-socialized golden retrievers.” The family spends much of August each year at her mother and stepfather’s ranch in Wyoming where they enjoy hiking, riding, and connecting with family. Nan also participates in a local book group and is being tutored in the basics of gardening by fellow faculty member Susan McHale.
