Meet Dean Steven K. Hedden
Colby, Kan., native Dean Hedden returned to KU after more than 20 years of experience at top art schools in Arizona and Iowa.
He earned three degrees in music education while attending KU: a Ph.D. in 1971; a master's in music education in 1969; and a bachelor's degree in music education in 1964.
His experience and leadership include appointments at the University of Arizona as vice dean for academics and research at the College of Fine Arts; acting dean and interim director of the Peter Treistman Fine Arts Center for New Media; College of Fine Arts associate dean for academic affairs; and professor and coordinator of music education. He also taught for 15 years at the University of Iowa, including six years as chair of the music education department, and taught at KU from 1970-1971 and at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1971 to 1972. He joined KU after working as dean of the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University for the 2002-2003 school year.
In addition to working in fine arts administration, Dean Hedden also has been published widely, including more than 50 articles in professional journals. He is the author of chapters appearing in the "Psychology of Music Handbook" and the "Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning." He has shared his research through more than 50 presentations at international, national, state and local conferences and workshops.
A music psychologist and former instrumental and general music teacher in DeSoto public schools, his areas of research interest include psychology of music, the foundations of music education, and curriculum development in music.
