John H. Curry, PhD & Tabatha Butler

Dr. John H. Curry will serve as the interim Associate Dean of the College of Education beginning August 2024.

Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Curry joined the College of Education in 2019 as an associate professor, and became Chair of the Organizational Learning and Performance Department in 2021. He was tenured and promoted to professor in 2023. Recently appointed Editor-in-Chief of TechTrends in 2024, a leading journal in the field of Instructional Design and Technology, he also co-edited the book "The Greatest Lecture I Was Never Taught: Leadership Lessons and Mentoring Moments in the Lives of Everyday Educators” which was released in 2021.

Despite winning numerous awards for his teaching and research, Dr. Curry has dedicated his career to professional service. At Idaho State University, he has served on a variety of committees at the department, college, and university levels, including the University Learning Management System (LMS) Committee, Open Educational Resources (OER) Committee, Teaching Innovation Grant Committee, a policy working group, and multiple subcommittees.

Within the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), Dr. Curry has held various leadership roles, including serving two terms on the Board of Directors, being part of the Executive Committee, and leading both the Division of Emerging Learning Technologies and the Technology Integrated Learning Division. He has taken on numerous committee assignments and was a member of the Leadership Development Committee for over a decade. Additionally, he was the conference planner for the AECT International Conventions in 2019 and 2022, and is set to serve again in this capacity for the 2025 convention. In recognition of his extensive service to the field and the organization, the AECT Division of Emerging Learning Technologies created the John Curry Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his exemplary service.

He has also received Presidential Service awards from four different AECT Presidents. In 2023, Dr. Curry was honored with the AECT Distinguished Service Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the ECT (educational communications and technology) field, the highest accolade given by AECT. This award recognizes significant contributions and achievements in the field, including innovation, creative development, leadership, scholarly work, and professional practice, both within AECT and in other organizations and communities. However, if asked, he would say that his greatest professional achievement is the contributions his students make to the field of educational technology. To his students, Dr. Curry is known as someone who always puts them at the forefront by offering professional mentorship, academic support, research opportunities, and various industry connections.

Tabatha Butler is the recipient of the 2024 College of Education Bengal Partner Award.

Butler is an Idaho State University alumna (2009) who completed a degree in history and returned to Pocatello after previously working for both United Way and Intermountain Healthcare in Utah.

During her time at Intermountain Healthcare, she was involved with several projects such as fundraising for Primary Children’s Hospital through the Idaho Radiothon, supporting the remodel of the WorkMed space at the Bear River Valley Hospital, and mentoring student coordinators that hosted dance marathons in support of Primary Children’s Hospital.

Butler was recently promoted to Executive Director of Philanthropic Engagement overseeing the fundraising efforts for both the College of Education and the Idaho Museum of Natural History, managing the philanthropic advisor for the College of Arts and Letters, and supervising the director of donor relations that oversees all stewardship for Idaho State donors.

In this role, she has continued to reach and exceed fundraising goals, securing millions of dollars in donations. Additionally, Butler also successfully unveiled the College’s highly anticipated and innovative donor wall, located in the College’s lobby, in spring 2024.