Government Relations

Based in the Development & External Affairs Office, the Government Relations Program is an institution-wide initiative to increase Bank Street’s capacity to educate, inform and advocate for policies and programs that promote social justice and educational equity, provide exemplary models of teaching and learning, and support children and families.

While Bank Street as an institution and “Bank Streeters” as individuals have always been advocates for children and families, teachers and schools, only on a few occasions have we made a focused effort to bring our goals and dreams into policy discussions. One occasion was notable and a great success: under President John Niemeyer’s leadership, Bank Street played important roles in setting up the pioneering Head Start and Follow Through programs in the 1960’s.

In 2009, with the support of Trustees, faculty and staff, we decided we had to try it again.

Why?

• Bank Street is an internationally-recognized leader in early childhood education, and a pioneer in improving the quality of classroom education and teacher preparation. With that status comes an obligation to be a national advocate for children and families, teachers and school leaders, and educational equity as the key to a democratic society in this country.

• Bank Street has worked effectively with schools in cities across the nation, from Albuquerque to Chicago to Pittsburgh to Newark, including more than sixty years of onsite collaboration with NYC schools.

• Bank Street is known to many political leaders and its work is highly-regarded, especially in the areas of early childhood education, and teacher and leader preparation, providing opportunities for the College to be a resource and guide for policy-makers.

Elizabeth Dickey, President

Farhad Asghar, Assistant Vice President for College Relations

John Borden, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Virginia Roach, Dean of Graduate School

Kristin Conklin, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Barbara Dubitsky, Director of Leadership in Mathematics Education Program

Faith Lamb-Parker, Senior Research Scientist

Peggy McNamara, Chair of General Teacher Education Department

Margaret Orr, Director of Future School Leaders Academy

Akilah Rosado-McQueen, Chief of Staff to the President

Rima Shore, Chair of Weismann Center for Educational Leadership

Jon Snyder, Dean of the College