Karen Sanzo
By Megan Shearin
An Old Dominion University professor who is a leading expert in the area of Pk-12 school leadership preparation has been awarded the 2019 Master Professor Award from the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA).
Dr. Karen Sanzo, professor of educational foundations and leadership in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, will receive the award during the 33rd Annual UCEA Convention in New Orleans, La. UCEA is a leading professional organization of higher education institutions focused on advancing the preparation of leaders.
A press release from UCEA states the award is given to an individual faculty member whose record demonstrates excellence in at least four of the following five areas: teaching, mentoring and advising, academic leadership, supporting diverse students and colleagues, and professional service.
In letters sent in support of Sanzo, nominators made a strong case for her dedicated work as a scholar and service to the field. One letter from a colleague at the University of Delaware lauded Sanzo for her work in building partnerships between ODU and the local school districts along with her services to UCEA's Program Design Network.
"For years, she has been fiercely committed to conducting research on how programs can connect with local school districts and schools in order to better serve the educators and kids in those communities. For years, she has led ODU's program and her efforts have enhanced the program's presence, reputation, and influence. For years, she has demonstrated that being a member of the academy is, first and foremost, about helping others, be them practitioners, students, or faculty members," wrote the nominator.
As part of the $927,000 school leadership grant from the United States Department of Education in 2008 - which Sanzo was the principal investigator - she developed and directed a national school leadership preparation and development network , a consortium of 50 school leadership development programs and not-for-profits that identified and promoted best practices in leadership development and training through the sharing of research, practical experience, and innovative preparation models. Currently, she is the co-principal investigator of the Design VA: High School Innovation Network grant. As part of the grant, she coordinates the project with six high schools and four school divisions to reimagine the high school experience for students.
Sanzo began working at ODU in 2006 as an assistant professor of educational foundations and leadership. In 2011, she was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor and in 2017 she was promoted to full professor. She served as graduate program director of the educational leadership program for seven years and was appointed in 2018 the Provost's Fellow for Design Thinking and Strategic Planning to help integrate design thinking practices into the implementation of the new strategic plan.
Dr. Brian Payne, vice provost for academic affairs, has worked closely with Sanzo on the new strategic plan and described her work at ODU and within her field excellent.
"Dr. Karen Sanzo exemplifies all of the qualities we hope to see in our professors," said Payne. "Her enthusiasm for spreading knowledge to strengthen our community is infectious."
Sanzo earned a doctor of education in education administration and policy studies and a master's of arts in education and human development from The George Washington University and a bachelor's of arts in history and elementary education from The College of William & Mary.