University of Central Arkansas Bachelor of Arts in Education

Leadership

Dr. Ivy Pfeffer

Deputy Commissioner

As deputy commissioner, Dr. Pfeffer works with Sectionalization of Elementary and Secondary Pedagogy (DESE) team members, legislators, customs members, schoolhouse district personnel and educators on finance, legislation and other educational activity issues. Pfeffer joined DESE (formerly the Arkansas Department of Education) in 2013 as the manager of educator evaluation, where she coordinated the administration of the new teacher and principal evaluation systems. She was hired as assistant commissioner for Educator Effectiveness and Licensure July ane, 2014. Prior to coming to DESE, Pfeffer worked at the Pocahontas Schoolhouse District for xviii years. She taught Spanish and English language at Pocahontas Junior High Schoolhouse before existence named the secondary assistant main at the high school. She served as principal and as an offshoot Spanish instructor for Blackness River Technical Higher. She has a Available of Science in Education in Castilian and English from Arkansas Country University at Jonesboro, a Master of Scientific discipline in Pedagogy in Integrated Engineering in the Curriculum from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN., completed the ASU program of study for administrative certification and earned an Educator Specialist in Educational Leadership. She received a Doctorate of Education in Schoolhouse Leadership from Arkansas Tech University at Russellville. Pfeffer is from Pocahontas.

Stacy Smith

Deputy Commissioner

Stacy Smith, manager of the Office of Coordinated Support and Service (OCSS), began serving as an additional deputy commissioner for DESE in December 2020. Every bit deputy commissioner, Smith oversees the Learning Services and Public School Accountability divisions. Smith served as a one-time assistant commissioner of Learning Services from March 2016 to July 2020, when she assumed the position equally the director of OCSS. She previously served as the DESE director of Curriculum and Instruction from July 2014 to March 2016 and has been a principal at Hill Subcontract Elementary School in the Bryant School Commune and Fountain Lake Uncomplicated Schoolhouse in the Fountain Lake Schoolhouse District.She holds a Bachelor of Scientific discipline in Simple Education and a Master in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas at Lilliputian Rock and an Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.

Gina Windle

Master of Staff

Gina Windle brings more than 20 years of education experience to the Arkansas Department of Education. She began her career as a language arts instructor at Prescott High School in 1995. She later taught in the East End School District and Perryville School District. She served as a loftier school advisor in the East Finish Schoolhouse District, start in 2006. The Delight, Arkansas native has a Bachelor of Scientific discipline in Teaching, English language and Communication from Henderson Land University at Arkadelphia and a Master of Instruction in School Counseling and Leadership from Arkansas Tech Academy at Russellville.

Greg Rogers

Banana Commissioner, Fiscal and Administrative Services

As a DESE assistant commissioner, Rogers oversees the distribution of funds to public schools, finance and student management software, and fiscal distress services. Rogers began working at DESE (formerly known as ADE) in 2012. He likewise serves as chief financial officer for the reorganized ADE where he oversees the bureau's financial operations, including biennial and fiscal twelvemonth budget requests, and represents the agency at legislative committee meetings. With more than 18 years of state government experience, Rogers previously worked for the Section of Finance and Assistants and Section of Human Services. He received a Available of Business Administration in Bookkeeping from Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia and a Primary of Business organisation Administration in International Business from Salem International University in Salem, W.V.

Dr. Kiffany Pride

Assistant Commissioner, Learning Services

Dr. Kiffany Pride began serving every bit assistant commissioner for Learning Services on July 1, 2020. She started working for DESE as a Response to Intervention coordinator for literacy, a position she held from August 2018 until February 2019. She and so served as a R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Educatee Excellence) assessor until Baronial 2019, when she assumed the part as the director of curriculum and assessment. Earlier joining DESE, Pride was the program administrator for the Pulaski County Special School District'southward Department of Learning Services. Her previous experience also includes serving as a instructor, literacy coach, and athletic coach for the Picayune Stone School Commune. Pride has a Available of Science in Elementary Education from Hendrix Higher, a Chief of Science in Middle Childhood Pedagogy from the University of Arkansas at Picayune Stone, a Master of Science in Reading and Literacy from Walden Academy, and an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from Harding University. Pride is a member of several professional organizations, including the Mid-South Educational Research Association, the Arkansas Reading Association, and the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators.

Karli Saracini

Assistant Commissioner, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure

Saracini previously worked for DESE as the manager of educator licensure from June 2013 until July 2015. She left the division to become the executive manager of human resources at the North Little Rock School Commune, a position she held until August 2018 when she became the banana superintendent. Earlier joining DESE, Saracini was the main at Harrisburg Middle School from July 2003 to June 2013. She has likewise served as the 1000-12 curriculum coordinator, an banana principal, and principal in the Newport School District. She has taught in the Piffling Rock School District, West Fork School District, and Marked Tree Schoolhouse District ,and is an adjunct professor at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Saracini has a Bachelor of Scientific discipline in Education in Early on Babyhood Pedagogy from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and an Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership from the University of Primal Arkansas in Conway. She has too completed the Arkansas Leadership Academy'southward Master Principal Program.

Deborah Coffman

Assistant Commissioner, Public Schoolhouse Accountability

Coffman assumed her role equally assistant commissioner for Public School Accountability on July i, 2017. Equally assistant commissioner, Coffman oversees the DESE (formerly ADE) division that includes Federal Programs, School Performance, and Systems Support. Coffman previously served as chief of staff, where she coordinated the agency'south strategic performance direction process, served as the bureau liaison to the Country Lath of Educational activity and provided guidance to the Communications Unit. Before she accustomed that position, Coffman worked equally DESE'south manager of Professional Development, collaborating with many stakeholders to provide quality professional learning opportunities to Arkansas educators. Coffman has also served equally a literacy program manager for DESE, an instructional facilitator for Pocahontas Public Schools, a literacy specialist at the Northeast Pedagogy Service Cooperative and an simple teacher at Hoxie Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Educational activity and a Primary of Science in Education from Arkansas State Academy at Jonesboro. In add-on, she served as an adjunct professor, GED instructor, and private schoolhouse educator. Coffman is a native of Blackness Rock, Arkansas.

Donald Benton

Banana Commissioner, Research and Technology

As assistant commissioner, Donald Benton oversees technology initiatives and resources such equally DESE'south Ambassador University, Arkansas Digital Sandbox and Educatee GPS dashboards. He as well oversees the Arkansas Public Schoolhouse Reckoner Network, which includes eSchoolPlus. Before joining the DESE squad in September 2018, Benton served as an assistant professor in educational leadership at Henderson Land Academy in Arkadelphia, a position he held since 2009. He also has been the director of the Hot Springs Technology Constitute since 1998 and founded Schools Without Walls, which provides professional development for technology leaders and educators, in 2010. He previously served equally the director of engineering science and information, information technology security officeholder/disaster recovery, technology programme developer and E-Rate coordinator at the Hot Springs School District. Benton has a Available of Science in Education (Vocational Business Education), a Chief of Science in Pedagogy (P-12 Edifice Level Leadership) and an Education Specialist in District Level Leadership from Henderson Land University. He is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Technology from Boise State Academy in Idaho.

Arijit Sarkar

Director of Information Systems and Master Data Officer

Arijit Sarkar serves equally the primary information officer (CIO) and managing director of information systems for the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). As CIO, Sarkar provides leadership and vision for the agency's Office of Information Applied science. Sarkar reports to the deputy commissioner, supervises 5 direct reports, and leads an it (Information technology) team of approximately 25 individuals. The chief responsibility of the office is to ensure new and connected availability of It systems that are undecayed, responsive and fully support the internal and external needs of the agency. Additionally, Sarkar provides executive leadership, direction and strategic vision to the agency in technology and information systems use and operations, strategies and program integrity. Sarkar, who has been serving as the director of data systems since 2012, assumed his boosted role as CIO in November 2015. He has worked for DESE (formerly ADE) since 2008 and was an data systems business organization analyst from 2008 to 2010 and an information systems coordinator from 2010 to 2012. Before joining the department, Sarkar was a graduate enquiry banana at the University of Arkansas at Little Stone from 2006 to 2008.

Ross White

Director of Career and Technical Education

Ross White, managing director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), brings a wealth of CTE experience and knowledge to the division. Before serving equally vice principal at Siloam Springs High School, a position he has held since July 2019, White was the manager of the school's CTE program. From August 2008 to July 2018, he was a fellow member of the career evolution and marketing kinesthesia for the Alma School District. White earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Pedagogy in May 2008 and a Primary of Education in Educational Leadership in May 2012 from Arkansas Tech Academy at Russellville. He received an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership degree in Baronial 2020 from Arkansas Country University in Jonesboro. White also is a fellow member of several professional organizations, including the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, Arkansas Clan of Career and Technical Pedagogy Administrators, and Arkansas Association for Career and Technical Instruction. He currently serves as a fellow member of the Arkansas Tech Academy Alumni Board.

Tim Cain

Director of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation

Tim Cain began serving as the director of the Arkansas Division of Public School Bookish Facilities and Transportation in September 2019. He oversees facility and transportation programs that assist Arkansas public schools with providing adequate and rubber facilities and transportation for students. Earlier joining the segmentation, Cain had served every bit the main transformation officer for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality since January 2017. He served as the chief operating officer for ADEQ from October 2015 to Dec 2016 and every bit the banana air chief from June 2015 to September 2015. Cain has feel as a quality engineer for multiple companies. He served as president of Envirodynamics in Picayune Rock and has worked as an air allow engineer, a project engineer, an Engineer Two for ADEQ, and a process engineer. Cain has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and has multiple certifications. He holds a Professional Engineer certification with the Arkansas Board of Registration for Professional person Engineers and Land Surveyors and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Direction Professional. Cain is a member of the Project Management Institute Cardinal Arkansas Chapter. He is a fellow member of Bible Church of Petty Stone and is a former justice of the peace for District i.

Missy Walley

Director of Special Projects

Walley joined the Division of Unproblematic and Secondary Education (DESE) in September 2019 as the manager of special projects. Prior to coming to DESE, she worked at Prescott Schoolhouse Commune for four years. She served as a high school primary and and so every bit school comeback specialist at the district level. Walley moved to Arkansas from Texas where she served as elementary primary at Chapel Hill ISD in Mt. Pleasant, Texas for ix years and as state and federal programs director. She as well spent three years in the classroom and equally gifted and talented coordinator for Harts Bluff ISD in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, x years as a classroom teacher in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the Tuscaloosa Urban center Schools and a year in Louisiana teaching middle school for Claiborne Parish Schoolhouse Board. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech Academy in Ruston, Louisiana, and a Master of Science in Education in Teaching of the Gifted and Talented from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  In addition, she completed her study for administrative certifications in Principalship and Superintendency and Educational System Assistants at Texas A&M, Commerce. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Didactics in Educational Leadership and Administration from University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Walley is from Louisiana.

Lori Freno

General Counsel

Lori Freno became the DESE's general counsel July 1, 2016. Equally general counsel, Freno oversees the Office of Legal Services, which ensures agency compliance with federal and state laws; advises the commissioner and Land Board of Teaching regarding policies and legislation; oversees the agency'south dominion-making process; and manages litigation. Prior to becoming general counsel, Freno served every bit the department'southward deputy full general counsel for three years and worked for the Attorney General'southward Office for 15 years as both an assistant and senior assistant chaser full general. Her other work experience included serving as a full general attorney for the Panama Canal Commission in the Republic of Panama for ii years and in private practice for four years in Cincinnati, Ohio. Freno graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Scientific discipline from the Academy of Akron, Ohio, and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Police.

Erin Franks

Legislative Services Director

Erin Franks joined the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in April 2019 equally the coordinator of governmental affairs and serves every bit the liaison for the partition betwixt legislators, legislative staff, and the governors' function. While new to DESE, Franks is not new to state authorities. She previously worked as the policy advisor for the Part of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) where she spent the 2017 and 2019 legislative sessions. Prior to working for OMIG, Franks worked for Medicaid in the Schools equally the health in education policy annotator. She has a Bachelor of General Studies degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Kimberly Mundell

Managing director of Communications

Mundell joined the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (formerly known as ADE) as the manager of communications in August 2013. In her position, she coordinates agency internal and external communication efforts. She previously served equally the communications managing director for the Arkansas Section of Workforce Services, a position she held for 12 years. She besides worked every bit a reporter for The Pino Barefaced Commercial and every bit a folio designer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Mundell received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Academy of Central Arkansas at Conway and a Master of Public Administration from the Academy of Arkansas at Footling Rock. She grew upward in DeWitt, located in southeast Arkansas.

Anthony Owen

Land Director of Information science Education

Owen serves equally the leader of the informatics initiative in Arkansas. He coordinates with Gov. Asa Hutchinson's Computer Science Task Force to place the state'south information science and engineering science needs. Owen began working at DESE  in 2011 equally the K-12 math and computer science curriculum specialist. He has worked as a math and science teacher at Sheridan High School and has taught math at Gurdon High Schoolhouse, Goza Middle School at Arkadelphia and England High School. Owen received a Available of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Education and Computer Science and a Master of Scientific discipline in Teaching in Educational Leadership from Henderson Land Academy at Arkadelphia. He has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Police.

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Source: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/About/leadership

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