Dr. Peter Linden named Dean of Career and Technical Education

Butler Community College has announced Dr. Peter Linden as the new Dean of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division. The start of Dr. Linden’s tenure coincided with the beginning of the Spring 2024 semester.

Linden holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from North Park University in Chicago. 

Dr. Linden comes to Butler having previously served as Provost and Vice President for Instruction and Student Services at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, MI, and Campus President/Chancellor at Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City, IN. 

His area of expertise is in Career and Technical Education and workforce development, having served as Associate Dean of CTE at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL, and Dean of CTE at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL. 

Linden was also a tenured faculty member at Chicago State University, where he taught courses in Business, Education and Hospitality and launched a successful public cafe. 

“My experience working closely with our dedicated faculty and staff has been terrific,” said Linden. “We are already progressing toward implementing innovative new curricula reflecting industry input and collaboration.” 

"Dr. Linden brings a 25-year career in higher education to Butler with a student-centered focus on innovative curricula, collaborative partnerships and strong support for faculty in his division," said Butler President Dr. Kim Krull. "He has a deep appreciation for Butler’s mission to transform our students’ lives." 

Dr. Linden says he has been impressed by the dedication shown by the leaders of Butler’s CTE programs. “Each program has demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement best serving our students and our community,” he said. 

Linden takes over from Science, Education and Math (SEM) Dean Shannon Covert, who had been serving as Interim Dean for CTE for the past year and a half.