UNC Names Heather Pendleton-Helm As Permanent Dean of Education and Behavioral Sciences
The University of Northern Colorado has named Heather Pendleton-Helm, Ph.D., as permanent dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, effective January 1, 2026. Pendleton-Helm, interim dean since July 2025, brings dual expertise in clinical counseling and academic leadership to help prepare Colorado's educator and mental health workforce.
Pendleton-Helm has been an EBS faculty member since 2004 and chaired the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education for the past 14 years. She also served four years as interim director of UNC's Counseling Center, supervising a team of licensed professionals and trainees while providing direct clinical supervision.
"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Pendleton-Helm, as the dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences," said Provost and Executive Vice President Kirsten Fleming. "Heather has the benefit of length and breadth in her leadership experience, having both led an academic and a non-academic unit; all of this is augmented by putting her expertise into practice as a clinician. Heather has successfully led the college as interim dean, and I am confident that she will continue to do so as its permanent dean."
Pendleton-Helm, a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, has authored peer-reviewed publications and secured grants while presenting nationally and internationally.
Her experience navigating accreditation cycles with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and the American Psychological Association, along with state-level counselor licensure reviews, positions the college to address educator shortages and school mental health capacity. This background helps the college respond to rising demand for school-based mental health services.
The appointment comes as UNC's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences prepares teachers, counselors, and psychologists who work across Colorado's K-12 schools. Pendleton-Helm has prioritized retention, graduation, and career readiness among students while advancing inclusive practices to support UNC's work as a Hispanic Serving Institution, preparing educators for Colorado's increasingly diverse school communities.
"UNC has been my professional home since 2004, and stepping into this role is both a responsibility and a privilege," said Pendleton-Helm. "I've witnessed firsthand the excellence of our faculty and the impact our graduates have across Colorado and beyond. I'm excited to build on our college's strengths as we continue developing innovative, responsive programs that serve our students and communities."
Pendleton-Helm has received the M. Lucile Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award for teaching excellence, among other teaching honors at UNC.