Diane R. Dean is Associate Professor for Higher Education Administration & Policy at Illinois State University, in Illinois, USA. A former college administrator, Dr. Dean’s research applies organizational theory and policy analysis to address critical issues in college and university administration, planning, policy and governance. She holds deep concerns for advancing quality, equity and diversity in American higher education. Those are the integral themes in her work. Dr. Dean’s research falls under one of four foci: 1) administration and leadership, 2) planning and performance; 3) policy and its formation; 4) and college students. Each relates to and informs the other, and her work often cuts across the intersections of these areas. Her work has been supported through numerous research grants and contracts from government agencies, nonprofit foundations and education institutions & organizations, and has resulted in numerous chapters, articles and research papers. She is co-editor of Public policy and higher education (2nd ed.), co-editor of the Women in Academe series.
