Professor, Department of Educational Leadership Studies
College of Education University of Kentucky 136C Taylor Education Building Lexington, KY 40506-0017
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<aside> ✉️ [email protected]
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Leadership in Educational Organizations, Educational Policy and Reform; Inclusive Early Learning Systems; Program Design, Scaling and Sustainability; Cross-Sector Collaboration and Community Engagement; Evidence-Based Practice and Policy Impact
My work has been anchored in leading educational reform and organizational leadership, with a special emphasis on creating equitable and inclusive systems. While my foundational work has concentrated on early learning, my expertise and impact extend into designing and scaling cross-sector programs that foster sustainable educational, health, and human services ecosystems.
I am deeply engaged in developing innovative program designs and policy reforms that ensure long-term sustainability and access equity, transcending traditional educational boundaries to include a broader spectrum of developmental stages and services. This involves strategic cross-sector collaboration and community engagement, leveraging evidence-based practices to inform policy and drive systemic change.
My commitment to enhancing educational outcomes and service delivery is rooted in a holistic understanding of system dynamics, emphasizing the importance of integrated approaches that support diverse and vulnerable populations. Through leadership, strategic partnerships, and a keen focus on sustainability, my goal is to contribute to the development of resilient and inclusive educational and service systems that meet the needs of all individuals and communities.
Ed.D. in Instruction and Administration, University of Kentucky, 1997-2001
Advisor: Dr. Jane Clark-Lindle *Dissertation: Instructional Leadership in Kentucky Public Preschool Programs*
M.Ed. in Special Education: Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, University of Kentucky, 1989 – 1992
Advisor: Dr. Mark Wolery and Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter *Thesis: Developing Early Childhood Transition Systems Using the STEPS Model*
B.A. in Learning Disabilities, Moderate Disabilities and Elementary Education, Morehead State University, Magna Cum Laude, 1980 -1983
University of Kentucky (1996-present)
2007- present | Professor, Department of Educational Leadership Studies, College of Education
2013 Professor | 2012-2017 Department Chair | 2020-present; 2011-2014 Doctoral Program Chair | 2011-2012 Director of Graduate Studies | 2007-2013 Associate Professor
2013 to 2016 | Co-Director, Tracking and Evaluation Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
1996-2022 | Research and Policy Associate, Human Development Institute
1996-2016, Founder/Director, Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services; 2000-2007, Community Education Director
1989-1996 | Principal Investigator/Grant Director, Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass, Lexington, KY
1988-1989 | Teacher, Self-Contained Behavior Disordered Classroom (K-5), Nicholasville, KY
1983-1986 | Teacher, Preschool Classroom, Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass, Lexington, KY