Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce Donna Elder, Ed.D., as Acting Dean and Lori Piowlski, Ph.D., as Acting Associate Dean of Sanford College of Education (SCOE).
Dr Elder, who has been a member of the Sanford College of Education since 2007, has served as Associate Dean, Co-Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Member of the Teacher Education Faculty. Proving herself to be a creative and collaborative leader with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing educational colleges, Dr. Elder has been instrumental in providing forward-looking and strategic vision on related issues. faculty, professional accreditation for the COJS, and academics. programs.
With nearly 40 years of experience as a teacher, coordinator, principal and superintendent of public and independent schools in three California school districts, Dr. Elder has played a key role in supporting the growth and expansion of the Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire programs. . Drawing on her experience gained in previous roles, including that of Director of the UCLA Laboratory School and former President of the International Association of Laboratory Schools, she is Co-Director of the Center for Innovation, Development, D evaluation and research of NU. Dr Elder, whose research program focuses on coaching and leadership, is co-editor of the manual Become an educational leader. She received her BS from Washington State University, MS from Texas A&M University and her Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of La Verne.
Dr Piowlski, in addition to her role as Acting Associate Dean, will continue her current role as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Teacher Education, which coordinates in-depth clinical practice across California for more than 1,000 students and interns each year. His dedication to empowering teacher candidates aligns with SCOE’s mission to support current and future educators as champions of inspired teaching and learning. Dr. Piowlski’s strong research portfolio and practice centers on teacher leadership and preparation, clinical practice, instructional literacy, advancement of assessment, and the intersections related to equity and access. . At the NU, she played a pivotal role in the development and launch of the new personalized Master of Arts in Education; is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and serves as the UN state-level representative on the CCTE Communications Committee, the CCT Intersectoral Project: Professional Development for District Employee Supervisors, and as the CalTPA Coordinator.
Prior to assuming posts as a higher education professor, Dr Piowlski was an elementary and special education teacher for pre-kindergarten to grade 12 with an emphasis on culturally competent teaching. She is co-author of the book, Culturally competent schools means ALL and obtained his doctorate. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in Educational Administration in Higher Education.
I am delighted and grateful that Dr Elder and Dr Piowlski have agreed to lead the SCOE while a national search for a new dean is conducted. The SCOE has followed a positive trajectory and I have no doubts that the Order will continue to thrive under its leadership. I look forward to their continued contributions as we work together diligently to align our efforts and increase collaboration between departments and programs to support student success and quality education.
Truly,
Gangaram Singh, Ph.D.
Executive Vice-Provost and Provost
