Dr. Mark Merickel, an expert in emerging technologies in education from Oregon State University (OSU), has been named the new Dean of the School of Extended Education at Sonoma State University. Merickel takes charge of the school from retiring Dean Les Adler on January 14, 2008. He has been the Associate Dean of OSU's Extended Campus for the past seven years and served as the Lead Administrator of the OSU Ecampus over the last 10 months.

During this period, in collaboration with the Deans across the university, he steered the growth of that unit from small beginnings to a $16 million annual operating budget. Ecampus extends OSU to students around the state, nation, and the world, and each year delivers more than 500 accredited OSU courses via the Web, video/DVD and other technologies. Students can complete their degree, add a minor or take courses for graduate credit or professional development.

Merickel has focused his work on the application of emerging technologies for the delivery of teacher preparation, continuing professional development, and distance-delivered programs. He received his B.A. in industrial technology and holds teaching licenses in industrial and technology education, and an M.A. in industrial technology from California State University, Fresno.

SSU Provost Eduardo Ochoa says "Dr. Merickel brings to Sonoma State a proven track record of growing continuing education programs and revenues, an ability to work collaboratively with academic departments, superb communication skills, and a vision for the role of technology in higher education's future."

Merickel earned his Ph.D. in education with a concentration in teaching and learning with technology from Oregon State University and has been a tenured member of the faculty at Oregon State University since 1998.