Barbara Schneider, John A. Hannah Chair and University Distinguished Professor in the College of Education and Department of Sociology, has been voted president-elect of the American Educational Research Association.
Her term as president starts at the conclusion of the 2013 annual meeting, after one year of service as president-elect.
Schneider will succeed William G. Tierney, a University of Southern California professor and director of the Pullias Center. Tierney will assume the AERA presidency on April 17, 2012 at the close of the association’s 93rd annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
"Barbara Schneider has significantly advanced the scientific study of education and has made major contributions to AERA throughout her career," says AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine.
Schneider, who holds a doctorate degree from Northwestern University, has been at the forefront of education research. Her work focuses on family, the social context of schooling and sociology of knowledge. Her teaching and research examine social contexts of schools and families and the influence they exert on academic and social well-being of adolescents as they move into adulthood.
Schneider places a particular emphasis on improving educational opportunities for students with limited economic and social resources.
"I can think of no one who is better prepared to accept this responsibility and represent Michigan State University, and more broadly, the education research profession, than Barbara," said Donald E. Heller, dean of MSU's College of Education. "I know she will lead the organization to great accomplishments during her term as president-elect and president in the following year."
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