GSE Alumna Receives the UCEA Paula Silver Case Award

The University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) has awarded Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) alumna, Dr. Carol Karpinski (Ed.D. ’03), the Paula Silver Case Award for her case, “Why Do They Hate Us?: Leading Amid Criticism, Crisis, and Disrespect.” Her case was identified to be the most outstanding case published in the 2012 volume year. Dr. Karpinski was honored during the UCEA Annual Convention in November 2013 and was presented her award during the 27th UCEA Convention at the Annual UCEA Awards Luncheon.

Dr. Karpinski centralized her case around the effectiveness of leaders in troubling times, specifically focusing on African American educators prior to the Civil Rights Movement. She emphasizes that educators today must be capable of being leaders in equally difficult times.

“Such a troubling environment can be debilitating for educational leaders,” says Dr. Karpinski, Associate Professor for the Peter Sammartino School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. “I hope that my case study will contribute to a discussion of how educators can lead in difficult times and how we can prepare effective leaders.”

Dr. Karpinski chose the topic of educational leadership in challenging times because she believes that education and educators are often scrutinized for their work. Educators are not always credited for knowing how to effectively lead in troubling environments.

“The key things that I took away from working on this case is the importance of collaboration and commitment, and that communication can contribute to success,” notes Dr. Karpinski.

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