2010 Education Summit Expert Bios
Anthony J. Colón
Education Consultant
Anthony J. Colón is one of the most widely recognized leaders in the school choice and education reform movements. His extensive experience designing cutting-edge education programs that target special needs and underserved students has put him at the front line of local and national education debates over the past 30 years. From 2005 to 2007, Colón served as Senior Manager for Education Investment Strategies at Fight For Children (FFC), a Washington, D.C.-based, local nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing urban youth for post-secondary education and careers.
Dr. Howard Fuller
Director
Institute for the Transformation of Learning (ITL), Marquette University
Howard Fuller is Director of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning (ITL) at Marquette University, supporting exemplary education options that transform learning for children, while empowering families, particularly those of low income, to choose the best school options. He served as Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools from June 1991 through June 1995, as Dean of General Education at Milwaukee Area Technical College from 1986-1988, and as Associate Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at Marquette University from 1979-1983. He is also Chairman of the Board at the Black Alliance for Educational Options.
Dr. Jay P. Greene
Chairman
Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas
Jay P. Greene is the Chairman of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since August 2005. He was a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research from January 2000 through August 2005, an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, Austin from July 1997 through May 2001, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston from July 1994 through July 1997. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University.
Leslie Hiner
Vice President of Programs & State Relations
Foundation for Educational Choice
Leslie Hiner is vice president of programs and state relations at the Foundation for Educational Choice. Prior to joining the Foundation, Hiner served five years as chief of staff to Speaker of the House and Republican Leader Brian Bosma in the Indiana House of Representatives. Prior to her appointment as chief of staff, Hiner served the caucus as policy director and chief counsel. Her education experience includes serving as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the Irvington Community Charter School, board secretary of the Forest Glenn International Elementary PFO, and board member of the Kokomo Montessori Children's House. She also attended Rostad Teachers College in Sweden, where she was a student teacher for second- and third-grade classes.
Dr. Matthew Ladner
Vice President of Research
Goldwater Institute
Dr. Matthew Ladner is vice president of research for the Goldwater Institute. Prior to joining Goldwater, Ladner was director of state projects at the Alliance for School Choice, where he provided support and resources for state-based school choice efforts. Ladner has written numerous studies on school choice, charter schools and special education reform. Ladner is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received both a Masters and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Houston. Ladner previously served as director of the Center for Economic Prosperity at the Goldwater Institute and as vice president of policy and communications at Children First America.
Helen Littlejohn
Senior Regional Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Department of Education
Helen Littlejohn, a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is currently the Senior Regional Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Department of Education, based in Denver, Colorado. She serves as a liaison to the department for several western states and is responsible for community outreach and engagement for federal education initiatives. She also serves as an advisor to the Secretary on Indian education and rural issues and promotes the department's efforts to support the academic success of under-served student populations throughout the United States. Her 30-year federal career includes service with the Departments of the Army and Air Force. She started her present position at the U.S. Department of Education in February 2000. She graduated from the University of Denver in 1976 with a degree in Education and Psychology.
Dr. Paul E. Peterson
Senior Fellow
Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Paul E. Peterson is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a member of the Koret Task force on K-12 Education, and editor of Education Next: A Journal of Opinion and Research. He is also the Henry Lee Shattuck Professor of Government and director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University. His research interests include educational policy, federalism, and urban policy. He has evaluated the effectiveness of school vouchers and other education reform initiatives. He is the author of Saving Schools: From the Little Red Schoolhouse to Virtual Learning (forthcoming).
