Programmatic Advisory Committees 2025-2026

Charge: The purpose of this committee is to advise the AACTE staff and Board of Directors on current trends, issues, and needed programming related to diversity in educator preparation program faculty and candidates.  The Committee is an outgrowth of the Diversifying the Workforce Topical Action Group (TAG), which will continue to operate in tandem with the new committee. Together, the committee and TAG are a powerful demonstration of the interest and commitment of AACTE members to promoting an education workforce that mirrors the diversity of the K-12 student population.

NOTE: Committee members are asked to participate in virtual and in-person initiatives that are created by the committee (i.e., webinars, sessions at conferences).

Committee on Educator Diversity

Co-Chair: Nichole Brown, SUNY Oswego (2027)
Co-Chair: Taryrn Brown, University of Florida (2026)

Board Liaison:
Christine Carrino Gorowara, Trinity Washington University (2026)
Amanda Morales, University of Nebraska (2026)
Karis Clarke, Touro University-CA (2027)
Monica Dillihunt, University of Alabama (2027)
David Fuentes, William Paterson (2028)
Bernard Oliver, Georgia Gwinnett College (2028)

Staff Liaison: Nicole Dunn

Charge: The Committee on Global Diversity is charged with fostering the development of quality teaching and professional education practices that promote diversity, equity, and global perspectives that advance the preparation of world-class educators responsive to all learners. This work includes –

• Providing expertise and leadership to help strengthen professional education programs and capacity in global diversity through the creation, promotion, and/or dissemination of related deliverables via AACTE or other approved venues
• Advising AACTE’s global diversity initiatives

NOTE: Committee members are asked to participate in virtual and in-person initiatives that are created by the committee (i.e., webinars, sessions at conferences).

Committee on Global Diversity

Co-Chair: Lori Czop Assaf, Texas State University (2027)
Co-Chair: Judith R. Cruzado-Guerrero, Towson University (2026)

Board Liaison: Tambra Jackson, Indiana University Indianapolis (2026)
Shea Kerkhoff, University of Missouri Saint Louis (2026)
Lin Wu, Western Oregon University (2026)
Mandy Handen, Colorado Dept. of Education (2027)
Luciana de Olveria, Virginia Commonwealth University (2027)
LaChan Hannon, Rutgers University – Newark (2028)
Udita Gupta, University of Utah (2028)

Staff Liaison: Brooke Evans

Charge: The Committee on Government Relations and Advocacy is charged with supporting AACTE and its membership in its advocating for the profession. This work includes –

• Serving as the lead advocates of the AACTE membership and working to build the capacity of AACTE and its members to be the nation’s leading advocates for educator preparation at the state and national levels
• Supporting AACTE’s government relations staff in the development of national legislative priorities and activities
• Advising AACTE’s government relations and advocacy activities

NOTE: Committee members are asked to attend Washington Week.

Committee on Government Relations and Advocacy 

Chair: Desha Williams, West Chester University (2026)

Board Liaison: Bryan Duke, University of Central Oklahoma (2027)
Alan Sebel, Touro University (2026)
Meredith Critchfield, Grand Canyon University (2027)
Jared Stallones, University of Northern Colorado (2027)
Karen Escalante, California State University – San Bernadino (2028)
Abbie Strunc, Sam Houston State University (2028)
Benjamin Forsyth, University of Northern Iowa (2028)

Staff Liaison: Jacqueline King

Charge: The purpose of the Holmes Program Advisory Committee is to advise the AACTE staff and Board of Directors on the implementation and expansion of the Holmes Program, AACTE’s signature program promoting diversity among leaders and scholars in education.

NOTE: The monthly time commitment is roughly five hours.

Committee on the Holmes Program

Co-chair: Leslie Ekpe, Texas A&M University-Commerce (2027)
Co-chair: Bianca Nightengale-Lee, Western Michigan University (2026)

Board Liaison:  Yoli Gallardo, Gonzaga University (2026)
Lora Bailey, Virginia Commonwealth University (2026)
Reyan Lean Warren, University of San Diego (2026)
Belinda Edwards, Kennesaw State University (2027)
Gina Anderson, Texas Woman’s University (2027)
Sohyun Meacham, University of Northern Iowa (2028)
Valeisha M. Ellis, Spelman College (2028)

Charge: The Committee on Innovation and Technology is charged with developing the Association’s classroom reform and technology agendas related to PK-12 and postsecondary education. This work includes –

• Promoting the use of innovative strategies and technological interventions in schools and professional educator preparation contexts by gathering and disseminating information about resources and practices
• Facilitating communication and interaction about innovations in learning and technology among educator preparation faculty
• Advising AACTE’s innovation and technology initiatives

NOTE: Committee members are asked to participate in virtual and in-person initiatives that are created by the committee (i.e., webinars, sessions at conferences).

Committee on Innovation and Technology

Co-chair: Guy Trainin, University of Nebraska – Lincoln (2026)
Co-chair:  Peña Bedesem, Kent State University (2027)

Board Liaison: Loury Floyd, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Laurie M Bobley, Touro University (2026)
Punya Mishra, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University (2026)
Jon Margerum-Leys, Oakland University (2027)
Leticia De Leon, University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (2028)
Andrea Borowczak, University of Central Florida (2028)

Staff Liaison: Brooke Evans

Charge: The Committee on Meetings and Professional Development is charged with recommending and supporting professional development activities that strengthen member programs and build their capacity to prepare educators who can teach every child effectively. This work includes –

• Identifying and developing themes and strands for the Annual Meeting, drafting the accompanying calls for proposals, and coordinating the proposal solicitation process
• Verifying the Annual Meeting proposal review process, ensuring reviews are completed, and making decisions on member sessions based on reviewer feedback
• Recommending speakers and topics for AACTE sessions during the Annual Meeting
• Advising on topics and programming for the Leadership Academy
• Advising AACTE regarding the professional development needs of the membership and new formats for delivery of professional development activities

NOTE: This committee meets virtually twice a month for 90-minutes. They usually do not meet in June, July, or December unless needed. There is one in-person meeting that is held at the end of AACTE’s Annual Meeting. Members will also do independent work in between meetings; especially during the late summer and fall.

Committee on Meetings and Professional Development 

Co-Chair: Laura Spenceley, SUNY-Oswego (2027)
Co-Chair: Tori Colson, University of Souther Indiana (2026)
Board Liaison:  Loury Floyd, Lenoir-Rhyne University (2026)
Reyna García Ramos, Pepperdine University (2027)
Erin Horne, North Carolina State University (2027)
Cynthia S. Nicholson, Norfolk State University (2028)
Raymond W. Francis, Central Michigan University (2028)
Michelle A. Brown-Grant, Broomfield College of Montclair State University (2028)
Natalie A. Bolton, University of Missouri – St. Louis (2028)

Staff Liaisons: Al Davis

Charge: The Committee on Membership Development and Capacity Building is charged with advising AACTE around member recruitment and retention, including ongoing attention to dues structures and membership categories that best meet the needs of the Association. This work includes –

• Participating in the design and implementation of member recruitment and retention initiatives, including the identification of timely educator preparation issues, programs, and services that can best meet the needs of the educator preparation community
• Developing member feedback and evaluation methods to inform what programs and services would respond to current needs
• Participating in development and evaluation of communication and marketing plans for existing and new programs and services for members and prospective members
• Assisting AACTE staff in developing prospective member recruitment initiatives with AACTE state chapters and member institutions
• Advising AACTE’s other membership initiatives

Note: Members may be asked to attend and assist with onsite membership related events and activities. (i.e., the membership hub at the Annual Meeting, information events).

Committee on Membership Engagement and Outreach

Chair:  Sara Skretta, University of Nebraska Lincoln (2026)

Board Liaison:  Loleta Sartin, Mercer University (2026)
Rachel Martinez, University of Houston Victoria (2027)
Sandra Nichols, University of Memphis (2028)
Christina Fields, Marist College (2028)
Roben Taylor Daubler, Waldon University (2028)
Lindy Gaudiano, Grand Canyon University (2028)
Yukari Amos, Eastern Michigan University (2028)

Staff Liaisons:  Jeanette Brown and Jenn Dorsey

Charge: The Committee on Research and Dissemination is charged with advising and assisting the Association in facilitating, promoting, and disseminating research that adds to the knowledge base for educator preparation, making meaningful contributions to the professional narrative, and building the capacity of the field and the Association to inform policy and practice. This work includes –

• Administering the Association’s Writing and Research Awards, issuing an annual call for entries and reviewing applications for the Outstanding Book Award, Outstanding Dissertation Award, and Outstanding JTE Article Award
• Advising AACTE’s other research-related initiatives

NOTE: This committee does a lot of work during the summer months. Committee members will be required to review multiple books and dissertations and select the winners for the Outstanding Book Award, the Outstanding Dissertation Award, and the JTE Article of the Year Award. In addition, committee members are also asked to participate in virtual and in-person initiatives that are created by the committee (i.e., webinars, sessions at conferences).

Committee on Research and Dissemination

Co-Chair: Anne Cash, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2026)
Co-Chair: Jian Wang, Texas Tech University (2027)

Board Liaison: Stacey Victor, Sam Houston State University (2026)
Timothy Goodale, Elizabeth City State University (2026)
Olivia Modesto, Texas A&M University – Kingsville (2026)
Brianne Walsh Morettini, Rowan University (2027)
Conner Warner, University of Utah (2028)
Guichan Zong, Kennesaw State University (2028)

Staff Liaisons: Brooke Evans