Rodney Greer joined the College of Education in July 2008 to create and lead the college's newly established Office of Research and Innovation — an effort made possible through a $1 million gift by 1968 Education graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith. Before coming to Auburn, Greer served for four years as the assistant to the dean for teacher education partnerships, professional development and technology in Western Illinois University's College of Education and Human Services. Previously, he taught courses in educational psychology, assessment and human development for seven years as a faculty member in Western Illinois' Educational and Interdisciplinary Studies Department. He has also worked as a school psychologist in rural Southern Illinois. He holds a master's degree in educational psychology from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor's in psychology from Monmouth (Ill.) College, and is a doctoral candidate in educational psychology at SIU. His research interests include the role of educational technology in the teaching and learning process, learning strategies and tactics, and systems as related to the adoption of new technologies by individuals and organizations. He has secured and directed more than $1 million in state and national research funding.