Monika Williams Shealey of Rowan University Becomes AACTE Board Chair

(March 1, 2023, Washington, D.C.) – AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) welcomes Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D., senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Rowan University, as the new chair of its board of directors. 

During her one-year term, Shealey will support AACTE and President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D., in implementing the Association’s strategic goals, elevating education and education preparation; prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and advancing the educator profession—during a year in which AACTE will celebrate its 75th anniversary. 

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, AACTE staff and President Lynn Gangone in advancing our strategic priorities, supporting and advocating on behalf of our members, and nurturing the next generation of leaders in the Association by creating pathways and resources for our students, state leaders, faculty, and institutional leaders,” said Shealey. 

Over the course of her career, Shealey has held academic appointments at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Florida International University in Miami, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She joined Rowan University in 2013 as the first African American dean of the College of Education and in 2019, she was tapped by President Ali Houshmand to serve in her current (inaugural) position to lead the new Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Division was the first of its kind in the region and strives to be a model for systemic change in higher education that results in equitable outcomes for students, faculty, and staff. 

Shealey received her B.S. and M.A. from the University of South Florida, Ed.S. from the University of Miami, and Ph.D. in education from the University of Central Florida. Her research has focused on examining the experiences of minoritized groups in special education and Black women in teacher education and leadership. 

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Shealey serve as the board chair during a year when AACTE will commemorate its 75-year history as the leading voice in educator preparation,” said Gangone. ‘With her expert leadership, the organization will amplify its work to grow and diversify enrollments in colleges of education and programs of teacher education and increase the number of qualified PK-12 teachers, as well as the faculties of colleges of education.” 

In addition to serving as AACTE board chair, Shealey is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Center for Family Services and the Friends School at Mullica Hill. She is also the past president of the National Association of Holmes Scholars Alumni; diversity, equity and inclusion council chair for the Chamber of Commerce for Southern New Jersey, and chair of the American Educational Research Association’s Committee on Scholars of Color. 

For additional information, including the complete board list, visit aacte.org. 

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About AACTE 

Established in 1948, AACTE is the leading voice in educator preparation. AACTE’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. The AACTE alliance of colleges and universities and educator preparation programs collaborates with members and partners to advance the field of education by prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, and engaging in research-based inquiry, advocacy, and innovative practice. Learn more at aacte.org.