Joining Butler in 1982 as an assistant professor of early childhood education, Ena Shelley served twice as interim dean before being appointed dean of the College of Education in June 2005. Shelley earned both her bachelor's degree (1973) and master's degree (1976) in elementary and early childhood education, as well as her doctorate in child psychology and early childhood education (1981) from Indiana State University. She has been involved extensively in state and national legislation concerning K-12 education, and was an integral player in the creation of partnerships between Butler University and Indianapolis Public Schools. Her work in education has earned her numerous honors, including the Outstanding Educator Award from the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents and a "Women of Influence" award from Indianapolis Business Journal. Shelley serves in leadership roles for multiple educational and professional organizations, such as the Indiana Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and the North American Reggio Educators Alliance, where she was instrumental in establishing the Indianapolis Reggio Collaborative.

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