Contact

  • Email address @ilstu.edu: alafoll
  • Phone: 309/438-5122

Position Responsibilities

  • Provide fiscal oversight
  • Initiate and enact project plans
  • Supervise ICSPS staff
  • Develop and deliver professional development
  • Research, prepare, and edit content for publications
  • Oversee technical assistance activities
  • Seek additional funding opportunities
  • Collaborate with partners across Illinois to provide professional development and technical assistance
  • Develop material related to current educational issues affecting the success of special populations learners
  • Manage the Center’s projects, professional development, material development, and website
  • Facilitate integration of the sponsored project with ISU College of Education

Recent Employment

  • Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, Illinois State University, 2005-current
  • Educational Administration and Foundations, Illinois State University, Instructional Assistant Professor, 2004-current
  • Illinois Community College Board, Associate Director of Career & Technical Education Support & Evaluation, 2002-2005

Education

  • PhD, Education Policy Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Master of Arts, Historical Policy Analysis, University of Illinois, Springfield
  • Bachelor of Science, History Education, Political Science, Eureka College, Eureka, IL
  • Illinois Teaching Certificate for secondary and middle school

Experience

  • Research
    Examination of the social discourse that leads youth to drop out of school and the social and cultural motivators encouraging them to complete their high school degree/GED and transition to postsecondary education
    Assessment of influences on dislocated youth
    The Evolution of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984: Exploring the Incorporation of Special Populations
    History of American Education
    History of Career and Technical Education
    Policy Analysis of Carl D. Perkins Legislation
    Paraprofessionals in Career and Technical Education
    Teacher Certification
  • Evaluation
    Analysis of Early School Leaver Program
    Analysis of the CTE Teacher Practicum
    Analysis of the Carl D. Perkins Legislation
    Analysis of the Women in Skilled Trades Program
    Analysis of Tech Prep Programs and Consortia
    Analysis on Civil Rights as Insured by Educational Institutions
  • Grant Writing and Grant Team Management
    Career and Technical Education Professional Development and Technical Assistance Grant
    Early School Leaver Technical Assistance and Professional Development Grant
    Curriculum Alignment Bridging the Gap Professional Development Grant
    PARCC Professional Development Grant
    Performance Enhancement Grant
    Career & Technical Education Strand Grants
    Tech Prep Support Grant
    Tech Prep State Grant
    Perkins Basic State Grant
    Leadership Projects Grants
    Workforce Education Professional Development Grant
  • Professional Development
    Co-lead on the creation and implementation of the Illinois Transitions Academy professional development mode
  • Self-Assessment-Based Project Management
    Postsecondary Student Organizations Grant and Assessment
    New Look Project
    Civil Rights Self-Assessment