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Governing Board

The REL Midwest Governing Board provides strategic guidance on REL Midwest work to maximize local effectiveness and leverages its regional networks to amplify and disseminate REL products.

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David Axner

Executive Director, Buckeye Association of School Administrators
David Axner, PhD, joined the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) staff on January 1, 2015, and became the executive director in 2021. Prior to BASA, Dr. Axner began his administrative career in Sandusky City Schools, then accepted a job in the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District where he served as high school principal and superintendent over 17 years. From Chagrin Falls, Dr. Axner was hired at Dublin City Schools and was that district's superintendent from 2007 to 2013. Upon retirement, he worked for 1 year with the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA), then joined the BASA staff. Dr. Axner is a University of Akron graduate and defended his dissertation successfully there on instructional leadership. As a superintendent, Dr. Axner was active in BASA, chairing a number of committees, serving on the Executive Board and represented BASA for two terms on the Educators Standards Board.


Headshot of Margaret Buckton

Margaret Buckton

Executive Director, Urban Education Network; and Partner, Iowa School Finance Information Services
Margaret Buckton brings more than 20 years of legislative and lobbying experience to her roles at both the Urban Education Network and Iowa School Finance Information Services (ISFIS). Among her responsibilities at ISFIS include lobbying for the Urban Education Network and the Rural School Advocates of Iowa. Buckton has been part of ISFIS since September 2009. She is a product of Des Moines Public Schools, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University in speech communications while traveling the national circuit on Northwestern's debate team. Buckton was a fiscal analyst with the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, where she staffed various appropriations subcommittees. She joined the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) in 1998 as school finance director, later serving as associate executive director, Public Policy, through 2009. She served a 2-year appointment on the Legislative Property Tax Interim Study Committee in 2008 and 2009, and was a member of IASB's Lighthouse Study research team before joining the Urban Education Network. Buckton is an instructor for the Iowa Principal Leadership Academy, Drake University, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa's administrator programs, and has been a distinguished lecturer at the University of Iowa School of Education. She has served as a community representative board member for the Drake University Head Start Policy Council and as a Des Moines Public Schools school board member, and is on the Drake Head Start Advisory Committee working on budget and federal compliance issues.


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Kim Buryanek

Division Administrator of Learning and Results, Iowa Department of Education
Kim Buryanek, PhD, is an education leader with more than 20 years of teaching, leading and policy experience, most recently as associate superintendent with the Sioux City Community School District. In her current role at the Iowa Department of Education, she oversees federal and state programs related to K-12 education and leads a team of education experts serving school districts, nonpublic schools and area education agencies across the state. She works closely with other state agencies and education stakeholder groups to ensure programs and services are meeting the needs of students, families, schools, and communities. Dr. Buryanek began her career as an English teacher. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of South Dakota, master's in educational administration from South Dakota State University, and doctorate in educational leadership from Iowa State University.


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Sue C. Carnell

Chief Deputy Superintendent, Michigan Department of Education
Sue C. Carnell, PhD, is the Chief Deputy Superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education. Dr. Carnell has more than 40 years of experience in educational and governmental settings. Her past roles include superintendent of the Westwood Community School District, deputy superintendent of Detroit Public Schools, and assistant director of special education and principal for the Southgate Community School District. Her government experience includes serving as director of the Office of School Excellence and the Office of Community Services for the Michigan Department of Education. She also was education policy advisor for former Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and worked as group executive for former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. Dr. Carnell participated in the Institute for Educational Leadership's Education Policy Fellowship Program and attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She has a bachelor's degree, with distinction, from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, and a master's degree and doctorate from Eastern Michigan University.


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Stephen Dackin

Director, Ohio Department of Education & Workforce
Stephen Dackin serves as the director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Previously, Director Dackin served in roles ranging from a classroom educator, school and district leader, and at the former Ohio Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and in higher education. At the local level, Director Dackin worked in central Ohio school districts to advance achievement opportunities for all students. During his time in Reynoldsburg City Schools, he worked as a high school principal, assistant superintendent, and the district superintendent. Under his leadership, the district markedly improved student performance, including performance among minority and economically disadvantaged students, while reducing spending. Director Dackin understands the challenges and opportunities our young people and their parents and guardians face in effectively navigating the educational and workforce systems for their children. He brought this expertise to his position as superintendent of school and community partnerships for Columbus State Community College. He bolstered initiatives to grow a number of Columbus State Community College partnerships and programs originating from the Central Ohio Compact, a regional strategy initiative focused on a goal that 60% of central Ohio adults hold postsecondary degrees or credentials by 2025. He continues to elevate the role partnerships play in achieving statewide goals, and is a member of several education, community, and workforce boards. Director Dackin received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Ohio Northern University and his Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Dayton.


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Heather DuBois Bourenane

Executive Director, Wisconsin Public Education Network
Heather DuBois Bourenane is passionate about ensuring public schools are places of joy for all students. She is a proud public school parent, a founding member of Support Sun Prairie Schools and the Sun Prairie Action Resource Coalition, and co-director of the SPARC Local Action Fund 501(c)(3). She taught college English and literature and worked in K—12 outreach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before becoming executive director of the Wisconsin Public Education Network. She has been with the network since 2015.


Sara Earleywine

Sara Earleywine

NEA Director, Iowa State Education Association
Sara Earleywine, a Des Moines Public Schools middle school teacher, was elected in 2021 to the National Education Association (NEA) Board of Directors for the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). Earleywine became an ISEA member as a student at Iowa State University, where she earned her BA in Elementary Education with an endorsement to teach math in grades K–8. In her third year of teaching, Earleywine became active in her local association and was awarded the Des Moines Education Association Paul Mann Emerging Leader Award in 2016. She has served the association in many roles at the local, state, and national levels, and serves as vice president of the Des Moines Education Association. At the state level, she chaired the Resolutions and New Business Committee for 3 years. Nationally, Earleywine represented Iowa on the NEA Resolutions Committee for 6 years and serves on the National Council of Urban Education Associations Executive Committee as a Central Region director.


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Roger Fisher

Associate Director, Program on Intergroup Relations, University of Michigan
In his role with the Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR), Roger Fisher teaches training and practicum classes, directs IGR's partnership with the School of Social Work on the Summer Youth Dialogue Program, performs high-level administrative functions for IGR, trains K–12 professionals, consults with other Higher Education institutions on dialogue programs and works on special Student Life projects. Fisher has been a National Co-Lead Facilitator for LeaderShape Inc. for more than 20 years. Fisher also volunteers as vice president of the Board of Directors for Power Inc. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Michigan, and did graduate work there.


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Gina Harris

NEA Director, Illinois Education Association
Gina Harris, after 15 years in corporate life, followed her passion and added a Masters of Teaching to her MBA. Currently working as a Culture and Climate Coach, she has taught content across both elementary and middle school. A certified yoga instructor, mindfulness, SEL and restorative justice facilitator and trainer, she currently supports educators across the country in implementation. Harris founded the Unity Dialogues, a circle process where students and adults learn from each other and grow from authentic, open dialogue about race and unity development. Harris also teaches educator preparation at Roosevelt University and National-Louis University. As a leader in both the National and Illinois Education Associations, she has facilitated restorative practices, equity development and fiduciary processes. Harris currently sits on the school board for District 200, Oak Park and River Forest High School, where she is the chair of the board subcommittee Culture, Climate and Behavior.


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Jason Helfer

Deputy Officer for Instructional Education, Illinois State Board of Education
Jason Helfer, EdD, is the deputy officer for instructional education at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). While at ISBE, he also served as the deputy superintendent for teaching and learning and the assistant superintendent for education effectiveness. Prior to joining ISBE, Dr. Helfer was an associate professor and department chair at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He has taught at Millikin University and University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign. He was also an elementary school teacher in Evanston, Illinois, and Grapevine-Colleyville, Texas. Dr. Helfer earned a bachelor of music degree from Millikin University, and a master's degree in music and doctorate in education from the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.


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Deb Henton

Executive Director, Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Deb Henton, EdD, was appointed executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) on July 1, 2020. She has been an active member of MASA, participating on various committees and serving as president of the association in 2018/19. She has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director, chief of staff, and for 13 years was a school superintendent. Dr. Henton was appointed to two terms on the Minnesota Board of School Administrators by Governor Mark Dayton. In 2018, she was named the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Henton received her EdD in educational leadership from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in 1999. She holds master's degrees in educational administration and education, both from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Dr. Henton also has a bachelor's degree in social studies and history from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.


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Katie Jenner

Secretary of Education, Indiana Department of Education
Katie Jenner, EdD, was appointed as Indiana's first secretary of education by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, effective January 11, 2021. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Jenner served as senior education advisor to Governor Holcomb, a role in which she provided guidance on statewide policy and initiatives for preschool, K–12, and higher education. Dr. Jenner began her career in K–12 public education as a career and technical education teacher in Kentucky. After moving to Indiana, she held various administrator roles, including assistant superintendent, for Madison Consolidated Schools. Dr. Jenner later served as vice president of K–12 initiatives and statewide partnerships for Ivy Tech Community College, where she led statewide strategies and formed partnerships among K–12 education, career centers, and Ivy Tech. Dr. Jenner earned a bachelor's degree in business from Transylvania University in Kentucky, a master's degree in business education from the University of Kentucky, an MBA through a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship at Indiana State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Kentucky.


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Willie Jett II

Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
As Minnesota's Education Commissioner, Willie Jett heads an agency of more than 420 employees, charged with the mission of improving educational achievement for children from pre-K through grade 12, adult education and library services. Jett works closely with Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to promote a wide variety of education policies and initiatives focused on closing the achievement gap, supporting high-quality teaching, using innovative strategies to improve educational outcomes, and ensuring all students graduate from high school well-prepared for college, career and life. Prior to his appointment as commissioner, Jett served as an instructor in the Education Administration Licensure program in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota. He has also taught and led in urban, suburban and greater Minnesota School districts for more than three decades and understands the challenges and strengths of all communities. His career is characterized by a commitment to raising student achievement and closing opportunity gaps. He is committed to preparing our future citizens, growing Minnesota's workforce and supporting professional educators. Jett earned his master's degree from the University of Pittsburg and his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.


Headshot of Carrie Lucking

Carrie Lucking

Executive Director, Education Minnesota
Carrie Lucking became executive director of Education Minnesota in November 2021. Lucking is a former social studies teacher. She has served as the union's director of policy and public affairs since 2020. Before that, she was the union's Director of Policy, Research, and Outreach. In her time at Education Minnesota, Lucking led the Education Minnesota department that supports the union's think tank, the Education Policy and Innovation Center, which produced reports on topics including helping students recover from disrupted learning, reforming school discipline, expanding preschool and full-service community schools and recruiting and retaining teachers, especially teacher of color. She also worked with staff and members on engaging educators of color, developing the FIRE antiracism programs, and supporting educator professional development. In 2018, Lucking took a leave of absence to manage the Walz/Flanagan gubernatorial campaign. Before coming to Education Minnesota, Lucking served as executive director of the Alliance for a Better Minnesota, where she was the chief strategist for 29 legislative campaigns and coordinated communications research for progressive organizations throughout the state. Lucking spent the first 10 years of her career as a social studies teacher, where she was active in the Hopkins Education Association and sat on the governing board of Education Minnesota, and coached the high school debate team.


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Angela Mansfield

Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
Angela Mansfield is the assistant commissioner for the Office of Educational Opportunity at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), overseeing the divisions of School and Educator Support; Career and College Success; Student Access and Opportunity; Data Practices and Analytics; as well as the COMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success) Unit. Angela's portfolio of work at the MDE has centered on educator effectiveness and continuous improvement. This has included the state professional pay system (Q Comp), teacher development and evaluation, and diversifying the educator workforce. Angela has also led three large projects as a special assistant to the commissioner including Wrap Around Minnesota, the educator and student COVID-19 testing program in the pandemic, and most recently COMPASS, Minnesota's statewide continuous improvement model. Prior to assuming the role of Assistant Commissioner, Angela worked for a small independent education consulting firm, was the founding executive director of an independent charter school in Minneapolis and worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools for 14 years, where she received the prestigious Milken Educator Award in 2002. Angela's educational background includes a Master of Education in Literacy Education from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, teacher licensure from University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts in French and Afrikan Studies from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in the Education Policy and Leadership–Executive Cohort Program at the University of Minnesota.


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Thomas McCarthy

Executive Director of the Office of the State Superintendent, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Thomas McCarthy previously served as senior manager at the Department of Children and Families and as the communications director at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), where he led a team charged with supporting the mission and vision of the state superintendent. McCarthy also worked in the Wisconsin State Legislature as a legislative assistant, research assistant, and committee clerk; there, he focused on connecting communications and policy to build more effective solutions and better serve impacted stakeholders. McCarthy is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, a husband and the proud father of a toddler, and when he has free time, enjoys playing music.

 
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Michael Rice

Superintendent of Public Instruction, Michigan Department of Education
On May 7, 2019, the Michigan State Board of Education voted to appoint Michael F. Rice, PhD, as Michigan superintendent of public instruction. Dr. Rice officially began his work as state superintendent on August 1. For the preceding 12 years, Rice had been superintendent of the Kalamazoo Public Schools. During his tenure, the district grew approximately 13 percent, improved student achievement in all board-approved academic goal areas, constructed its first three new schools since 1972, and quintupled the number of full-day kindergarten students. Previously, Dr. Rice served as superintendent of the Clifton Public Schools in Clifton, New Jersey. Dr. Rice began his career in D.C. Public Schools, where he taught high school French and founded and coached award-winning speech and debate programs. He served as a cabinet-level administrator in D.C. Public Schools, Fort Wayne Community Schools, and the Lansing School District. Dr. Rice earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with honors from Yale University and a master's degree and doctorate in public administration with honors from New York University.


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Dan Rossmiller

Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School Boards
Dan Rossmiller has been executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) since July 2023. The WASB is dedicated to serving as an advocate for education and students. A nonprofit organization, the WASB seeks to advance education through supporting the tradition of local school board control of the state’s public schools. Prior to assuming the role as executive director, Rossmiller served as the WASB’s director of government relations for 16 years; during his tenue, he headed the WASB’s state and federal lobbying program and worked closely with the WASB Policy and Resolutions Committee. He also served on the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding. Before joining the WASB, Rossmiller served for three and a half years as the public affairs director for the State Bar of Wisconsin. Rossmiller earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.


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Tony Sanders

State Superintendent, Illinois State Board of Education
Tony Sanders, PhD, was appointed as state superintendent by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in February 2023. Previously, Dr. Sanders served as the superintendent of Elgin School District U-46, becoming the chief executive officer in 2014 and earning his superintendent's endorsement in 2020. Under Dr. Sanders' tenure at U-46, the district implemented universal full-day kindergarten, expanded dual language and gifted programming, and implemented a trauma-informed care approach to responding to behavioral issues and supporting students. Dr. Sanders has more than two decades of leadership experience, including his role as the chief communications officer for St. Louis Public Schools, acting director for governmental relations and public information for the ISBE, and other top posts at the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and the Illinois Department of Public Health. He earned his doctorate in education from Aurora University, his master in business administration degree from New York Institute of Technology – Ellis College, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield. In 2020, he was awarded the honorary degree of doctor of laws from Judson University.


Headshot of Sarena Shivers

Sarena Shivers

Deputy Executive Director, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators
Sarena Shivers, EdD, has been an educator for nearly thirty years. She has served as an elementary teacher, elementary assistant principal, elementary principal, director of curriculum, director of school services, transportation director, assistant superintendent of achievement and 5 years as the superintendent of Redford Union School District No. 1, in southeast Michigan. In July 2020, Dr. Shivers became deputy executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators. Her key areas of expertise and professional accomplishments are curriculum and instruction, program development and alignment, program evaluation and opening innovative and award-winning secondary school programs (alternative high schools, early college, and honors programs). Dr. Shivers has steep knowledge of teaching and learning and has led key initiatives in the areas of school change, adolescent literacy, writing, mathematics, STEM, cutting-edge instructional technology (augmented reality and artificial intelligence) and school leadership. For over a decade, Dr. Shivers has led work regionally and across the state of Michigan in cultural relevancy, cultural proficiency, equity, social justice and diversity in education. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Morgan State University, master's in Administration and Supervision from Ball State University and doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from Indiana University in Bloomington.


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McKenzie Snow

Director, Iowa Department of Education
McKenzie Snow serves as the director of the Iowa Department of Education. She previously served as the deputy secretary of education for Virginia and a division director for the New Hampshire Department of Education. She also worked in the federal government as special assistant to the president at the White House Domestic Policy Council, senior adviser at the Office of Management and Budget's Education, Income Maintenance and Labor Division, and K-12 policy director at the U.S. Department of Education. Before government service, Ms. Snow was a policy director at the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a Fulbright grantee at the University of the Free State in South Africa, and a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar at Lund University in Sweden. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science with a primary texts certificate from Kansas State University.


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Gregory Taylor

Director, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Advanced Analytics, Ohio Department of Education
Gregory Taylor is director of the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Advanced Analytics at the Ohio Department of Education. His office provides agencywide project support, as well as oversight of external research partnerships. Current initiatives involve Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief impact evaluation, interagency data resources, postsecondary outcomes, literacy, the state's evidence-based clearinghouse, and improving learning acceleration. Taylor received his bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Cincinnati and his master's in education from Harvard University. He started his career as a special education teacher before spending several years as a central office administrator at Dayton Public Schools, most recently as executive director of Data and Technology. Taylor also has consulted with large school districts, state departments of education, and other government agencies across the country with program evaluation, data analytics, and education policy.


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Robert Taylor

Associate Director, Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents
Robert Taylor, PhD, is a third-generation public school educator. Throughout his tenure in education Dr. Taylor has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels in both the United States and Europe. Dr. Taylor is associate director for the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, based in Indianapolis. Dr. Taylor has served as an educational consultant and professional mentor for education/ business partnership development, educational programming, and education leadership. He has provided staff development training for business leaders, administrators/educators, and upper-level operational managers, throughout China, Europe, and the United States. Dr. Taylor earned a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Policy and an MSEd in School Administration from Indiana University, and a BS in elementary education from Olivet Nazarene University.


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Rashad Turner

Founder, President, and Executive Director, Minnesota Parent Union
Rashad Anthony Turner, a Twin Cities native, is executive director for Minnesota Parent Union, one of the fastest growing and most impactful school choice/parent advocacy groups in the state. Turner is a champion for school choice and quality education, and believes parents must step up and be the ones to bring an end to Minnesota's worst-in-nation education gaps.


Headshot of Jill Underly

Jill Underly

Superintendent, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill Underly, PhD, was elected state superintendent of Public Instruction on April 6, 2021. She has worked in all facets of public education since 1999: as a high school and middle school social studies teacher, a University of Wisconsin College of Letters & Science academic advisor, a Title I consultant and assistant director at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), an elementary school principal and director of instruction, and a rural school district superintendent. Most recently, she served 6 years as superintendent of the Pecatonica School District and 5 years at DPI in Educator Licensing and Title I work. Dr. Underly received bachelor's degrees in history and sociology from Indiana University—Bloomington, a master's degree in secondary education from Indiana University—Purdue University, and a master's degree in educational administration and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.


Headshot of Kenyona Walker

Kenyona Walker

Program Manager, Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University
Kenyona Walker, PhD, is an emerging scholar on the topic of Race in Education, leveraging her passion for education and equity by building the capacity of others to foster equity and diversity in educational contexts. She serves as a co-leader of the Steering Team for the Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Movement for the Center on Education and Training for Employment, serving as a speaker at the national and local levels. She also teaches on urban issues in education at The Ohio State University. Dr. Walker is the Principal Investigator on the Parent Mentors Oversight and Professional Development Project, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Education. As a licensed school psychologist, Dr. Walker uses her previous experience working in schools and a scholarly approach to work collaboratively with educators, parent mentors, and local stakeholders across the state, to address issues related to the evaluation of students regarding Special Education and their specialized supports. As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Walker leads the Staying and Thriving: Cultivating Community with and for Black Women Undergraduate Students in the College of Education and Human Ecology project, which is designed to increase the sense of belonging among Black women students at OSU. In addition, she works to promote the power of collaborations in education, and has published research in both scholarly and creative works, including a pending book chapter. Spanning across PK-12 and higher education spaces and driven by the belief that we must “do” justice, Dr. Walker develops blueprints for the intersection of research and practice to reimagine what true equity in education can be. Dr. Walker received her doctoral degree from OSU.

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