Fireside Chat with Dean Christopher Span

Meet the GSE's new dean Christopher Span and hear about his first 100 days on the job and how his vision for how the GSE will shape the future of education and contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Christopher M. Span is Dean and Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers—New Brunswick. A higher education administrator, Dr. Span’s 20-year service at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign included high-profile positions such as Associate Dean in the College of Education, Chancellor-appointed Faculty Athletics Representative, and Chief of Staff for the Chancellor. He is a historian of education who specializes in the educational history of African Americans in the 19th century, and author of From Cotton Field to Schoolhouse: African American Education in Mississippi, 1862-1875. Dr. Span is the former Vice President of Division F (History of American Education) for the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and past President of the History of Education Society.

Joanne Kerekes is an instructor for the NJEXCEL Program at the Foundation for Educational Administration and a consultant for Stronge and Associates where she serves as the NJ Coordinator. During her 45-year career, Joanne worked as a teacher, unit leader, staff developer, principal, and assistant superintendent. A contributor to several educational publications and a frequent presenter, Joanne was a recipient of the Rutgers Graduate School of Education Distinguished Alumni Service Award.