Public policy, education expert Laura Encalade appointed School of Public Policy executive director
Kim Chaudoin |
Laura Encalade, a leader in policy, education and strategic planning, has been appointed executive director of Lipscomb University’s School of Public Policy.
Prior to her appointment at Lipscomb, Encalade was co-president of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), a national nonprofit founded by the Milken Education Foundation that increases educator capacity across K-12 and higher education partners in over 21 states. She served in several leadership roles at NIET including as executive vice president for strategy and partnerships and senior vice president for strategy and innovation. From 2011-2019, Encalade served in various roles in the Tennessee Department of Education, including as executive director of strategy and operations in the Teachers and Leaders Division, as director of policy and research, and as chief of staff in the Office of the Commissioner. She began her career through the Teach for America program as a middle school teacher in Saint Louis (Missouri) Public Schools.
The School of Public Policy, housed in Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public Service, offers a graduate program in leadership and public service that focuses on creating and implementing solutions to common community challenges.
“Laura brings a unique perspective to this role with her diverse experience in various aspects of government and education,” said Steve Joiner, dean of the College of Leadership & Public Service. “Her experience in this arena helps her relate to the challenges and opportunities our students experience in their roles in public service. The College of Leadership & Public Service is the place where Tennessee turns for leadership, and Laura will be an extremely valuable asset in developing leaders that will make a positive impact on our state for years to come. ”
A native of Tennessee, Encalade said she has always been drawn to the fields of public service and education and looks forward to this opportunity to serve in a new way.
“I was really drawn to the idea of some type of public service early on. Through my teaching experience, I have witnessed the transformative power of education and serving communities in need,” said Encalade. “That really inspired my interest in public policy and public administration. The mission of Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public service is very compelling to me. The success of our communities relies on great people who are implementing the policies, programs, initiatives and grants coming from our state legislature.”
“Developing a cadre of strong leaders who are ready to step into those roles is essential,” she continued. “Being able to contribute to that mission in this role — not just for state government, but also for nonprofits and other sectors — to continue to create that next generation of leaders and public servants to fill these roles across our state was of great interest to me and a way I can continue to serve others.”
Encalade has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and global studies from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a Master of Education in secondary education from the University of Missouri, St. Louis and a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in education policy from Vanderbilt University. She is a board member for the Nashville Classical Charter School board and for Friends of Metro Animal Care and Control.
Learn more about Lipscomb University's School of Public Policy.
— Photo by Kristi Jones