Unity College President Melik Peter Khoury has announced the appointment of Dr. Amardeep Kahlon as the dean of the Technical Institute of Environmental Professions.

Dr. Kahlon is a nationally recognized leader in competency-based education (CBE) with a passion for innovation. With over two decades of experience in higher education, she is dedicated to delivering high quality, equitable, robust, and flexible face-to-face and online programs focused on access and outcomes.

Her many previous roles include faculty, administrator, consultant, and researcher. She has rich experiences in working across the board — with industry, students, faculty, and other institutions of higher education. Further, she has provided consulting to both US and foreign institutions.

“As America’s environmental college, we believe creating access to educational opportunities for those seeking green careers is more important than ever. Dr. Kahlon is exactly the right fit to design and implement an institute that will service a diverse population while focusing on educational equity for all,” said Unity President Melik Peter Khoury.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that environmental professions will grow at a faster-than-average rate through 2029, which is why Unity College is creating a program that will allow for mastery of concept as students look to fill these careers.

According to Kahlon, “The Technical Institute for Environmental Professions will be tailored to prepare students for these growing fields through robust, flexible associate degrees and certificates. Further, leveraging industry partnerships will allow us not only to validate our competencies but also create career pathways for our students.”

This will help ensure the institute provides extensive opportunities for lifelong learning and professional education for those seeking a short-term credential that is either credit or non-credit. “Our programs will be aimed at both traditional and non-traditional students and will be offered both in the face-to-face and online modalities. The overarching aim of the technical institute is to train professionals who will work towards creating a healthy and sustainable world,” said Kahlon.

Dr. Kahlon spent a sabbatical year (2013-14) in India as the founding Dean of Academics at an emerging new university. She has presented at local, state, and international conferences, been invited to speak in different forums on the topic of CBE and innovation in higher education and presented as a keynote speaker. In addition, her honors include being profiled as a top ten innovator by The Chronicle of Higher Education and various teaching excellence awards.

Prior to joining Unity College, Kahlon served as an Assistant Dean of Distance Learning and External Partnerships as well the director of the Women in Technology Program at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas. In addition, she has been a teaching professor for over two decades.

Kahlon earned a Master’s in Computer Science from Binghamton University and a doctorate in Education Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.