News Release

Contact:
Renee Williams Hockaday, American Public University System
703.334.3868, rhockaday@apus.edu

APUS’ Academic Dean Assumes Position with the West Virginia Leadership Development and Support Collaborative

Charles Town, W.Va., April 22, 2008 – Citing the need for skillful and visionary leadership in ccomplishing their mission of 21^st century teaching and learning, the West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools has invited American Public University System (APUS) Vice President and Academic Dean, Dr. Karan Powell, to participate in the West Virginia Leadership Development and Support Collaborative. The distinguished group includes 50 individuals from across the State of West Virginia representing public education, higher education, professional development agencies, and members of the Department of Education.

The Coalition will meet over the next year and a half and has the responsibility of proposing to the Collaborative Co-Chairs a redesign of the state’s framework for teacher, school and district leadership.  Co-Chairs include Superintendents of Schools, Senate and House Education Committee Chairs, Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission, Secretary of Education and the Arts, and President of West Virginia Board of Education.

The state superintendent’s goal is to develop statewide standards for teacher, principal and superintendent leadership, design a leadership development continuum, and propose changes in practice, policy and code that affect leadership development and support. The group will explore all levels of leadership and leadership development, including teacher leaders, principals and superintendents across the State of West Virginia.

Dr. Powell was invited into the group because of her work with the State of West Virginia in creating and submitting the Master of Education in Administration and Supervision for WV certification. She will work on the Collaborative sub-committee to address principal leadership standards.

Dr. Powell assumed the position of Academic Dean at APUS in 2006 and provides strategic guidance and oversight of curriculum, faculty selection and management, and all academic schools and departments. She has more than 30 years experience in learning leadership development, organization performance enhancement, and transformation in education, non-profit business, and government settings. Dr. Powell holds a Ph.D. in education from George Mason University, with a specialization in organization development and organizational learning.

About American Public University System
American Public University System is comprised of American Military University and American Public University and provides distance learning to more than 30,000 civilian and military adult students worldwide. APUS offers 57 degrees in its online undergraduate and graduate programs. APUS’s curriculum, affordability and flexibility helps working adults pursue degrees in homeland security, national security and emergency and disaster management. APUS also offers programs in professional studies, management, and liberal arts. A university book grant provides textbooks at no cost for eligible undergraduate students. Eligible students may apply for Federal Student Aid.  American Public University System is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI). For more information, please visit http://www.americanpubliceducation.com.

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