Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Director, Utah Education Policy Center
Nominee: Robert C. Pianta
Andrea Rorrer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Utah and Director of the Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah. She received her master’s degree at the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin. Prior to receiving her Ph.D., Andrea’s professional experiences in education included serving as a policy analyst and a research associate in Texas, and a school leader and a classroom teacher in Virginia. Andrea’s scholarship and publications focus on leadership, and districts and the state as actors in organizational and policy change, particularly those changes aimed at increasing equity in student access and outcomes.
In 2006, Andrea led the reinvigoration of the Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah. The UEPC provides research, evaluation, and technical assistance support to local schools and school districts, state educational agencies, and community organizations on educational issues. The UEPC also serves as the research partner for the state’s longitudinal data system, which includes K-12, post-secondary education, and workforce service data.
Andrea has been recognized for her scholarship, including being awarded the American Education Research Association Division A “Education Administration” 2001 Dissertation Award, the University Council for Educational Administration Jack A. Culbertson Award in 2006 for outstanding contributions to the field as a junior professor, and the 2008 College of Education Research Award in 2008.
Andrea has been an Executive Committee member of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) since 2007 and now serves as President of UCEA. UCEA is a consortium of higher education institutions committed to advancing the preparation and practice of educational leaders for the benefit of schools and children.
