Sonal Desai-Redd has been named Associate Director, and Connie Karlen has been named Dept Coordinator at the Center for School Change.

Sonal Desai-Redd, an expert at working with students, faculty and families, has been selected as the new Associate Director of the Center for School Change (CSC) at Macalester College.  Joe Nathan, CSC director announced the selection after a search that drew several dozen applications from eight states and two countries.

“Ms. Desai-Redd has been asked to keynote a Minnesota Department of Education conference because of her success in ‘turning around’ a failing school," said Nathan. "She brings terrific experience, considerable talent, and great passion to her work.  She will help CSC make a clear, measurable difference with young people, schools and families. We’re delighted that she agreed to join us.”  She will begin working with the CSC on July 26, 2010.
            
Sonal has extensive, successful experience working with families and public schools.  For seven years with Wilder Foundation, she taught parenting classes to young people, and developed community partnerships to support families. For six years with the Osseo Public Schools, she helped create and run programs for students and staff.  Most recently, she has received acclaim for her work as principal of VOA Phoenix High School, a Minneapolis Public School contract alternative school.  Minnesota Department of Education staff praised her work at this school, which “turned around” a troubled school and helped many young people with whom traditional schools have not succeeded.  Working with Phoenix High School staff, students and other groups, Desai-Redd helped many young people not only graduate, but also apply for and enter some form of higher education.

Sonal earned a B.A from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Management from Cardinal Stritch College and completed K-12 administrative licensure from St. Mary’s.  
            
Sonal commented, “I feel it is important to create systems and school cultures which welcome and engage learners; improve effective management of human and financial resources; and increase the connection, engagement, and support of families and communities.  I hope to bring my expertise in these areas to the CSC.”

Connie Karlen, a resident of the MacGroveland area, joined the CSC in early May 2010. 

Connie brings over fifteen years of experience working in the book publishing industry having most recently worked as Regional Inventory Manager for Scholastic Book Fairs.  At SBF, Connie not only oversaw $40 million in book inventory in four warehouse locations across the midwest but also was a key member of the book selection committee that met biannually with publishers to review thousands of submissions & select the best new titles to purchase.  Connie also has a background in retail bookstore management experience.  She is passionate about encouraging children and connecting them to just the right book and volunteers with St Paul Public Library and Groveland Elementary School. 

An avid gardener, Connie finds one of the best ways to enjoy summer is to work in her garden or share a meal of fresh homegrown produce with her partner, Diane and friends.  

For Sonal and Connie's contact information, click link   http://www.centerforschoolchange.org/contact-center-for-school-change.html