Dr. Katie Pekel‘s official title has been updated to Executive Director of Educational Leadership. This overdue change reflects the multiple ways in which her responsibilities have broadened since joining CEHD in 2015 as the University’s Principal in Residence. 

In addition to directing the Minnesota Principals Academy, Dr. Pekel is a Co-Coordinator of both the Executive Cohort PhD program in Education Policy and Leadership as well as the Urban Leadership Academy, collaborates with our Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement on multiple research projects (including the Minnesota Principals Survey, Safe Learning Survey, and, most recently, a Guide on Diversifying the Educator Workforce) and will soon be bringing the Principals Supervisor Academy to Minnesota via an exciting new partnership with the University of Washington’s Center for Executive Leadership.

Dr. Pekel’s efforts to translate research to practice and vice versa have led to fruitful working relationships with schools and districts across the state, as well as numerous key organizations in PK-12 educational policy. This new title aims to be more reflective of the key roles she plays on behalf of OLPD, CEHD, and the University.