Utah Education Policy Center Director is New Chair of the WestEd Board of Directors

WestEd today announced that Andrea Rorrer, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah's College of Education, will serve as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Rorrer has served on WestEd's Board of Directors since 2019. Her 1-year term as Board Chair will begin July 21, 2024.

Rorrer is also the Director of the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC). The UEPC's mission is to bridge research, policy, and practice by conducting rigorous and comprehensive research and evaluations and providing expert and research-informed technical assistance and professional learning. She is a Co-Director of the INSPIRE Leadership Collaborative, a national, multi-institutional research and development team that provides valid and reliable tools to support leadership preparation programs, districts, and schools to improve leadership learning and practice. 

From 2014 to 2023, Rorrer was Associate Dean for Research in the College of Education at the University of Utah. She also has experience as a policy analyst, a research associate in Texas, a school administrator, and a teacher.

"Andrea's deep and rich knowledge of a range of education issues and her focus on educational transformation through her research, teaching, and mentoring are invaluable assets to WestEd's Board," said WestEd CEO Jannelle Kubinec. "I look forward to her leadership as we continue to promote excellence; achieve equity; and improve learning for children, youth, and adults."

WestEd's Board of Directors consists of leaders from public and private education, business, and human services sectors. Board members play a critical role in the agency's leadership and strategic planning. Rorrer will succeed current WestEd Board Chair Ken Coll, Executive Director of the Nell J. Redfield Foundation and former Director of the Community Behavioral Health Collaborative at the University of Nevada (UNR). Coll has served as WestEd's Board Chair since July 2022.

"Being a part of the WestEd Board is an incredible professional experience, particularly due to the expertise of [the] organization's leadership and staff and the significant impact of WestEd on education policy and practice," said Rorrer. "I am honored to serve as Chair of WestEd's Board. I deeply appreciate the previous Chairs for their strong leadership and the board members who generously offer their expertise and time to support WestEd's governance and strategic endeavors."

In addition to her leadership roles at the University of Utah, Rorrer is a member of the Region 15 Comprehensive Center Advisory Board and the Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West) Governing Board. She previously served on the University Council for Educational Administration Executive Committee between 2006 and 2013, including as President from 2011 to 2012.

Rorrer earned her master's degree at the University of Virginia and her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin.