Dr. Jean Deller is the dean of the School of Professional Studies, which encompasses the campuses of TSU North, TSU Fort Wayne, TSU Merrillville, TSU South Bend, TSU Howe, and TSU Kendallville. SPS also recently entered into a partnership named, Accelerate “U” with Ivy Tech, which allows students to continue their college education at TSU while receiving their degrees at a personalized pace. SPS provides career-oriented degrees in business, psychology, and criminal justice for working adults; college-level education for high school students; and hands-on training for technical and industrial professionals. The newest venture, Training To Go, pulls together the resources of TSU to offer customized, on-site educational opportunities to businesses and organizations far and wide.

After coming to TSU in 1980, Deller began her career in the Department of Education as an adjunct professor. Deller’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in music education from Milligan College, a master’s degree in education from Indiana University and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Toledo. 

Dr. Jean Deller always wanted to be a teacher. After pursuing an undergraduate degree in music education from Milligan College in Tennessee, she taught all-grade music in a depressed socioeconomic area of that state. She then returned to her home state of Indiana, where she taught for three more years. During that time, Dr. Deller decided she wanted to make an impact in the field of education by training teacher education students at the college level. She pursued a master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University. At the same time, she continued her music education and attained a reading endorsement. In 1993, she was awarded a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo.

The positions Dr. Deller has held and her voluntary activities during her years at Tri-State University reflect her varied interests in education, athletics, and music. She has served in the capacity of sports information director, assistant athletic director, associate professor of education, chair of the department of health, physical education and sport science, dean of students, and assistant vice president of academic affairs.  In the late 1980’s, Dr. Deller traveled with the women’s basketball team as its statistician and administrative assistant coach. As the women’s basketball team’s courtside announcer, she retired in 2005 as the "Voice of the Thunder," a position she has held since 1985. In 2000, Dr. Deller established and directed the TSU Chorus.

Dr. Deller directs the adult choir at her church and sings with the worship team.  She enjoys Indy Car racing, college basketball and the Chicago Cubs, but her greatest passion of all is her family.  She particularly enjoys the time she is able to spend with her son-in-law and two grown children.