معرفی
Katharine O. Strunk is the Dean of the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education (GSE) and George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education. She is a nationally recognized leader in education policy and governance, with a focus on teacher labor markets, school turnaround strategies, and equitable policy implementation. Dr. Strunk collaborates extensively with policymakers, including roles on Michigan Governor Whitmer’s Student Recovery Advisory Council and leadership in the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at Michigan State University.
Her academic journey includes previous roles as the Clifford E. Erickson Distinguished Chair in Education at Michigan State University, and faculty positions at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Davis. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Education Policy.
Research interests span K-12 governance structures, collective bargaining agreements, and accountability policies. Her work emphasizes the intersection of education systems, policy decisions, and outcomes for underserved communities. Over $21 million in extramural funding supports her research, which bridges academia and practical policy solutions.
Notable contributions include co-authoring Challenging the One Best System (2020), analyzing urban education reforms, and advising on state-level education reforms. She currently serves on editorial boards for journals like Education Finance and Policy and Journal of Education Finance.
Leadership roles include President of the Association for Education Finance and Policy (2021–2022) and Executive Leadership Board membership at the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH). Her strategic vision for Penn GSE emphasizes collaboration to address global educational challenges through innovation, equity, and partnerships.
