Early Bird

New faculty trustee: Bethany Fleck Dillen

Fleck Dillen believes that a strong and supported faculty will lead to academic excellence and improve the University’s ability to support students.

By Lindsey Coulter

May 26, 2020

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Board of Trustees welcomes Bethany Fleck Dillen, Ph.D., professor, Psychological Sciences, as a new faculty trustee.

Fleck Dillen teaches courses in human development and psychology, and her research centers on cognitive and social development in classroom contexts. She publishes in developmental and scholarship of teaching and learning fields. She is the secretary of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, an organization dedicated to mentoring undergraduate students in psychology research.

As an educator, Fleck Dillen is committed to an active, learner-centered approach that emphasizes the role of community on individuals’ lives. She encourages students to participate in their communities, to use psychology content knowledge to help solve real-world problems, and to be active and engaged citizens in our democracy. She is also certified in ELITE and Quality Matters online teaching.

Fleck Dillen adheres to the scientific method as an educator, and she will apply the same principles in her role as faculty trustee.

“I use evidence-based practices in the classroom, and I make decisions based on reliable and valid data. I will follow this principle as your trustee. I will research issues, dig up data and solicit your input often. I am practical, and I am not afraid to make recommendations and decisions based on evidence,” she said.

Years of teaching and learning research have helped Fleck Dillen to always place student learning at the forefront of all issues, and she believes that a strong and supported faculty will lead to academic excellence and improve the University’s ability to support students.

“I am confident I can build relationships that will benefit the faculty. Relationship-building is an important principle I will commit to as trustee,” she said.

Fleck Dillen assumes her new role at an interesting time in the University’s history, and she recognizes that the challenges of COVID-19 will add a new dynamic to her service.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we teach, conduct research and relate to our colleagues and students,” she said. “It will continue to have a significant impact. But I am an optimist. The changing nature of current life provides us with a great opportunity to reshape MSU Denver to fit the goals, values and strategic plan that we desire.”

Fleck Dillen holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western New England College, a master’s degree in developmental psychology from the University of New Hampshire and a doctorate in psychology from the University of New Hampshire, where she also earned a master’s degree in the science of college teaching. In addition to being an educator, Fleck Dillen describes herself as a wife and mother of two young children who strives to always be a good friend and colleague.