Elena is an associate professor in at Levin College of Public Affairs and Education at Cleveland State University and is a member of the Impact Evaluation Committee
What is your current role and how are you involved with the Ohio Deans Compact?
I am an Associate Professor at Cleveland State University, where I coordinate the TESOL and DREAM programs. I also serve as Secretary of the Ohio Deans Compact Core Team and am a member of the Impact Evaluation Committee. Through the Compact, I am currently Co-PI on a blended licensure incentive grant and previously served as PI on two workforce development grants and Co-PI on another blended licensure grant. This work led to the development of the DREAM program, a graduate multi-licensure program that prepares teachers for P–5, ECIS, and TESOL licensure.
In what ways has your involvement with the Compact benefited you or your organization?
My involvement with the Ohio Deans Compact has been valuable both personally and professionally. Since joining in 2016, I have appreciated the opportunity to connect with a community of P–20 leaders and stay informed about key initiatives and developments in education across Ohio. Just as important, the Compact has helped me translate ideas into action at my institution. Through conversations and collaboration with peers, I was inspired to launch a College Credit Plus (CCP) pipeline for future teachers at Cleveland State University. That initiative continues today and has become an important part of the work of our School of Education and Counseling.
Why do you believe the Compact’s work matters?
I moved to Ohio from out of state, and learning about the initiatives we lead together across P–20 through the Ohio Deans Compact has been very impressive to me—especially the blended licensure incentive grants and the work I’ve been directly involved in. Working together across P–20 as a state, sharing both successes and challenges, is an important part of strengthening our work and better supporting K–12 students in Ohio’s schools. That kind of collaboration is at the heart of what the Deans Compact does.
What aspects of the Compact’s work are most meaningful to you?
I especially enjoy the quarterly meetings, particularly the opportunity to hear from well-known speakers who share their knowledge and expertise with us and the broader community of practice. We learn a great deal from the speakers and from each other, so coming together on a regular basis is very valuable. I also appreciate being part of the work of the Impact Evaluation Committee, helping ensure that the impact of the Compact’s initiatives becomes clear and visible to a variety of stakeholders.