Marian University announces new Vice President of Klipsch Educators College and Innovation in K-12 Education

Dr. Kwiatkowski is a long-time innovative K-12 leader. Prior to Muncie Community Schools, she was Chief of Staff in the Indiana Department of Education and has served as Governor Eric Holcomb’s Senior Education Advisor and Executive Director of the State Board of Education. She has years of K-12 experience, having been a classroom teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. 

“Marian’s Fred S. Klipsch Educators College and the Center for Vibrant Schools are committed to dramatically improving student academic performance by becoming a scalable national leader in preparing and supporting teachers and leaders for K-12 schools. Dr. Kwiatkowski’s wealth of knowledge, expertise, and relationships will help us accelerate and further advance this critical work to improve literacy and education for students of all ages throughout the region,” said Kenith Britt, Ph.D., chancellor and chief of operating officer.  

In this new position, Dr. Kwiatkowski will collaborate with the Dean of the Klipsch Educators College, LaTonya Turner, Ph.D., and the Assistant Vice President of the Center for Vibrant Schools, Bob Behning, to develop and implement programs designed to increase the talent, diversity, and number of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Klipsch Educators College and drive increases in K-12 student performance. Her other areas of focus will include: 

• Launching a new Indiana Institute for Literacy, as a primary resource for Indiana parents and educators to expand the Science of Reading.
• Securing funding for a new building to house the Klipsch Educators College and Center for Vibrant Schools on Marian University’s Indianapolis campus.
• Expanding state and regional school partnerships.
• Increasing scholarship funding to support future educators.

"I am honored and excited to join Marian University as the Vice President of Klipsch Educators College and Innovation in K-12 Education. Together, we can shape the future of education, focusing on improving student academic performance and literacy,” said Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski. “By expanding partnerships, securing funding, and fostering diversity, we can make a lasting impact on the preparation of students and support of teachers and leaders.”  

The introduction of this new role comes during a pivotal period of growth for the university. Marian was recently recognized as the best teacher preparation program in Indiana and only one of 48 programs to receive an A+ ranking nationwide for exemplary coverage of scientifically based reading instruction for elementary teacher candidates by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Additionally, Marian has extended the university’s footprint into K-12 education through support and outreach initiatives such as:  

• City Connects, serving nearly 20,000 K-12 students in Indiana and Ohio; 
• the new Indiana Literacy Institute, including training over 3,000 teachers and; Marian’s K-12 hybrid school, MU Prep.