Dr. Don Schillinger, dean of Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education, is one of six new members of the Deans for Impact – an exclusive group of national education leaders who are united behind a shared vision for a transformed educator-preparation system that graduates teachers prepared to measurably improve student learning. Schillinger, who is also the co-director for Louisiana Tech’s UTeachTech program and serves as president of the Louisiana Association for Colleges of Teacher Education, joins a diverse group of new Deans for Impact members who represent higher education institutions across the United States.  The members seek to collectively advocate for the value of educator preparation and strive for innovative changes at the program, institutional, state and national levels. “The opportunity to be a part of a group of dedicated educators who share common beliefs and are driven to make meaningful and necessary changes, that’s really important,” said Schillinger.  “Also, having an opportunity to share challenges and ideas with deans who have similar concerns but also a similar heart for transforming teacher preparation, it’s a pretty powerful experience.” Since its inception in 2015, Deans for Impact has deliberately chosen to limit its core membership to no more than 30 leaders of educator-preparation programs, at any one time, so that it could be nimble and responsive in making decisions and taking actions.  At the same time, the organization says it is committed to diversity and continues to take deliberate steps to build an inclusive community within its membership. Schillinger earned his Ph.D. in secondary education (science) from the University of Mississippi in 2004. He also earned a master of education degree in secondary education (chemistry) from the University of Mississippi and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry education from the University of Central Florida.