A faculty member with more than a decade of experience at the University of Idaho has been selected to head one of its prominent academic divisions. Julie Amador will serve as interim dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, a move that took effect immediately upon its announcement on June 23, 2026.
Amador’s elevation comes as a direct result of a leadership shuffle higher up the administrative chain. Brooke Blevins, who had been leading the college as dean, was tapped earlier this month to serve as the university’s interim provost and executive vice president, creating the opening that Amador now fills.
Deep Roots in Moscow and Regional Mathematics Education
Amador first came to the University of Idaho in 2012, arriving after completing postdoctoral research at Indiana University. Over the span of roughly 14 years on campus, she built a record in scholarship and academic administration that culminated in the associate dean role for research and faculty development — the position she held immediately before this appointment.
Her work extends beyond the Moscow campus. Amador directs the Region 1 Idaho Regional Mathematics Center, connecting university expertise to mathematics instruction across northern Idaho’s schools. That regional outreach role places her at the crossroads of higher education and K-12 workforce development, an area of ongoing concern across rural communities in Latah County and the broader Palouse.
Her educational background spans three institutions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from California State University, Fresno, then pursued graduate study at the University of Nevada, where she completed both a master’s degree in educational leadership and a doctorate with a focus on curriculum, teaching and learning — specifically emphasizing mathematics education.
Blevins Endorses Her Successor
Blevins, now overseeing university academic affairs as interim provost, offered a direct endorsement of the selection. “Julie is a respected scholar, a collaborative leader and a trusted colleague who cares deeply about our students, staff and faculty,” Blevins said in the announcement.
The college Amador now leads serves students across a range of disciplines tied to teaching, public health, counseling, and human services — fields where qualified graduates are in consistent demand throughout rural Idaho. Her background in regional mathematics outreach and faculty development positions her to address both the academic and workforce dimensions of those programs.
The appointment also lands at a pivotal moment for Idaho’s education landscape more broadly. Several new Idaho education laws are set to take effect July 1, touching on classroom procedures, parental rights, and educator union regulations. Colleges of education statewide will be expected to incorporate those statutory changes into how they train the next generation of Idaho teachers — a responsibility that will fall squarely on Amador’s desk from day one.
Recent months have brought other notable moments for U of I faculty as well. Two University of Idaho researchers recently received Fulbright Awards, adding to the institution’s growing reputation for scholarly achievement beyond the Palouse.
What Comes Next
University leadership has not announced a timeline or process for selecting a permanent dean. Amador will manage college operations, faculty matters, and student programming during the interim period while administrators determine their next steps. With Blevins herself serving in a temporary capacity as provost, the question of whether U of I will launch a full national dean search or move toward a quicker permanent appointment remains open. University stakeholders and Latah County residents should expect additional announcements from administration as the institution’s leadership structure continues to evolve.