PROM/SE Overview: Leadership
Bios
Jacqueline Babcock
Jacqueline Babcock is the Chief of Staff for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). PROM/SE is funded by the National Science Foundation and involves partnerships with nearly 60 school districts in Michigan and Ohio. She has worked for Michigan State University in a variety of settings and was the project manager for the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). She has published articles in Statewide Communication and Dissemination System, The Michigan Journal for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and was co-author of the User Guide for the TIMSS International Curriculum Analysis Database. She also has served on several staff leadership committees. She holds a bachelor’s degree from MSU and a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.
Peter Bates
Peter Bates is a co-Principal Investigator of Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). He is a professor of mathematics at Michigan State University and former chair of the department. His areas of mathematics expertise are Infinite-dimensional dynamical systems, nonlinear elliptic and parabolic PDE, and phase transitions. Peter has been a senior visiting professor at the University of Auckland, the Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Kyoto, the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge, and the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications in Minneapolis, among others. Previously, he was chair of the department of mathematics at Brigham Young University and a program director in applied mathematics at the National Science Foundation. He served on the Committee to produce the State of Michigan's High School Mathematics Content Expectations. He holds a bachelor’s in science from the University of London and a doctorate from the University of Utah.
Mary Bouck
Mary Bouck is the Director of Capacity Building for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). She oversees all professional development aspects of the project. She is a Visiting Academic Specialist in the Division of Science and Mathematics Education and Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. She also worked with a NSF funded project, Tool Kit for Change Agents, where she worked as a writer/developer on a web based tool kit to help districts leaders facilitate mathematics reform in their schools. Mary is a former mathematics teacher and school administrator, finishing her 30-year public school career as a superintendent. As an experienced educator, she has developed curriculum materials for elementary and middle grades and was a member of writing group for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Principles and Standards for School Mathematic.
Danita Brandt
Danita Brandt is the Director of Science for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). She was co-designer of the PROM/SE Middle School Earth Science Summer Institute course on Earth Systems, and she served as co-facilitator for the Middle School Institutes. A faculty member in the Department of Geological Sciences at Michigan State University since 1991, Danita works with pre-service teachers in her undergraduate course on "Geology of Michigan" and interacts with in-service teachers every other summer through MSU's Division of Science and Math Education's "Earth Science for Teachers" course. As a paleontologist with two school-aged children, a top priority is communicating science (especially issues of age of the Earth and history of life) to a general audience, she and is active in various informal science education initiatives, including "Darwin Discovery Day" at the MSU Museum. Danita received her bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Illinois, master's degree from the University of Cincinnati, and Ph.D. from Yale.
Gail Burrill
Gail Burrill is the co-Director of Mathematics for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). She was a secondary teacher and department chair in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin for over 25 years and spent time as an associate researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While on leave from the University of Wisconsin, she served as President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and as Director of the Mathematical Sciences Education Board. She is a Mathematics Specialist in the Division of Science and Mathematics Education at Michigan State University. Her honors include the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and the Wisconsin Distinguished Educator Award. She was elected a fellow of the American Statistical Association and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. She directs the Secondary School Teachers Program for the Institute of Advanced Study’s Park City Mathematics Institute and the Institute’s International Seminar.
Richard Houang
Richard Houang is the Director of Research for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). In this capacity he oversees all areas of research design and data collection from nearly 60 districts, teachers, and over 300,000 K-12 students. His research interests include educational statistics, psychometrics, and computing technology. Richard joined the faculty at Michigan State University in 1979 and has taught courses in research design and multivariate analysis. Previously, he was the associate director of the US TIMSS National Research Center and has co-authored several books related to TIMSS. He has published in numerous journals including the American Educational Research Journal and Educational Studies in Mathematics. He received a doctorate in educational psychology with a specialization in psychometrics and statistical methods from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
George Leroi
George Leroi is Co-Principal Investigator for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education. He is Dean Emeritus of the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University. Previously, he served as Associate Dean for Research and Facilities and a professor of chemistry at MSU. Prior to coming to MSU, George was on the chemistry faculty at Princeton University. He was awarded the Cobletz Memorial Prize in molecular spectroscopy and was recognized for his studies of molecular structure and bonding. Other areas of expertise include molecular spectroscopy and laser spectroscopy. George’s current scholarly interests focus on science and mathematics education for grades K-16. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s and doctorate in chemistry at Harvard University.
Barbara Markle
Barbara Markle is Assistant Dean of K-12 Outreach Programs in the College of Education at Michigan State University. In this capacity she develops and implements programs for teachers, school administrators and policymakers that bring educational research to bear in schools and settings where education policy decisions are made. Barbara’s public school experience includes service as a high school teacher, counselor, secondary principal and central office administrator. She also served as deputy superintendent of public instruction in the Michigan Department of Education, where she was responsible for Michigan’s education reform initiatives. She currently directs several state and federal grants, and has a deep interest in school reform issues centering on teacher and administrative leadership as well as the redesign of the high school experience. Her Ph.D. is in educational administration from Michigan State University, where she serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Educational Administration. Barbara has extensive experience in international education and has received the National Leadership Award from the Institute for Educational Leadership. She serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Virtual University and also directs monthly education policy forums for state policy makers.
Susan Pettit-Riley
Susan Pettit-Riley is the Director of Communications for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE) where she oversees public affairs and communications for the multi-state educational program serving 60 school districts in Michigan and Ohio. In 2008 as part of PROM/SE, she co-developed Mathematics Counts & Science Matters, a parent outreach and involvement program. Previously, she consulted with educational, public health, and governmental agencies to develop and/or evaluate public information and social marketing initiatives for multi-cultural audiences. She has developed outreach projects in the U.S., Latin America and the South Pacific focusing on the intersection of community needs and government services. In recognition of her work with non-profit agencies, she was named a fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts, and served on the planning committee for the 1996 Olympic Games Cultural Olympiad. She holds a bachelor’s degree in visual communication from Auburn University and a master’s degree in applied anthropology from Georgia State University.
William H. Schmidt
William H. Schmidt is the Lead Principal Investigator of PROM/SE and University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University. He is co-director of the Education Policy Center and co-director of the US China Center for Research. Previously he served as National Research Coordinator and Executive Director of the US National Center which oversaw participation of the United States in the IEA sponsored Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). He was also a member of the Senior Executive staff and Head of the Office of Policy Studies and Program Assessment for the National Science Foundation in Washington, DC from 1986-1988. He has published in numerous journals including the Journal of the American Statistical Association, Journal of Educational Statistics, and the Journal of Educational Measurement. He has co-authored seven books including Why Schools Matter. His current writing and research concerns issues of academic content in K-12 schooling, assessment theory and the effects of curriculum on academic achievement. He is also concerned with educational policy related to mathematics, science and testing in general. He was awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree at Concordia University in 1997 and received the 1998 Willard Jacobson Lectureship from The New York Academy of Sciences. In 2006 he was elected to the National Academy of Education. He received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Concordia College in River Forrest, IL and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in psychometrics and applied statistics.
Dorothy VanLooy
Dorothy VanLooy is the Director of Operations and Special Projects for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE). Prior to working with PROM/SE she was with the Michigan Department of Education where she held several positions, most recently returning to serve as the Acting Chief Academic Officer. While with the Michigan Department of Education, she served as the Director of the Office of Field Services that was responsible for the implementation of state and federal categorical funding programs. She has also been responsible for the approval and review of teacher preparation programs, the teacher certification testing program, technical assistance to school districts, program evaluation and multiple research projects. Prior to joining the Michigan Department of Education, Dorothy was a research associate with the University of Michigan’s Institute of Science and Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics-physics from Alma College, and a master’s degree in management from Aquinas College.