Prairie State College dean named to national fellowship for educator-preparation leaders

June 23, 2025, Chicago Heights, Ill – Dr. Tywanda Jiles, Dean of Career and Technical Education at Prairie State College, has been named an Impact Academy fellow through national non-profit organization Deans for Impact (DFI). Dr. Jiles joins a cohort of leaders chosen for their commitment to improving educator preparation. 

Educator-preparation programs today face complex challenges as they recruit and prepare teachers who are equipped to engage all PK-12 students in rigorous and affirming learning experiences. More than ever, the field needs leaders who can strengthen the educator workforce. DFI aims to fill this need through its Impact Academy fellowship, which has empowered more than 150 dean-level leaders with skills, knowledge, and strategies to prioritize instructional quality, navigate their teams through continuous change, and advocate for innovative and sustainable practices in educator preparation.

Dr. Jiles is one of 18 leaders announced as part of the fellowship’s 10th cohort. These fellows lead programs that serve 11 U.S. states and a wide range of geographic and institutional contexts from coast to coast. These programs represent public and private universities, community colleges, residencies, and teaching fellowships, while sharing a common goal: to strengthen pipelines of high-quality teachers who can honor and nurture the brilliance of all students.

“This fellowship is an opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking leaders who share a deep commitment to transforming educator preparation,” said Dr. Tywanda Jiles. “I’m honored to represent Prairie State College as we work to build stronger pathways for future teachers and ultimately improve outcomes for all students.”

Fellows will participate in monthly learning sessions, receive one-on-one coaching from seasoned leaders, and engage in peer consultancies to address field-facing challenges in real-time. They will hone their ability to engage faculty, staff, communities, and PK-12 partners in a shared vision for transformative change, grounded in a deep scientific understanding about how students learn.

“Educator-preparation leaders play a critical role in shaping how new teachers are set up for long-term success,” said Valerie Sakimura, Executive Director of DFI. “From prioritizing instructional improvement in their programs, to supporting their teams to meet the evolving needs of schools and communities, to advocating for innovative and sustainable practices, they carry an immense responsibility in shaping the future of teaching and learning. With this milestone cohort, we look forward to helping them grow as change agents while staying grounded in instructional quality and student impact.”

To learn more about this year’s Impact Academy cohort, visit: https://www.deansforimpact.org/impact-academy-cohort10. 

About Prairie State College

Prairie State College proudly serves Community College District 515 and is a hub of excellence, offering associate degrees, technical and career certificates, workforce development, and community education programs. Prairie State College is the first Illinois community college to guarantee all credits will transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities, an assurance that has grown through the Illinois Articulation Initiative. We strive to provide opportunities for our students to start near, go far, and thrive. For more information, visit prairiestate.edu and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Deans for Impact (DFI)

DFI is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that every child is taught by a well-prepared teacher. DFI supports educator-preparation programs to bring the science of learning into teaching practice; partners with policymakers to ensure pathways into teaching are accessible, practice-based, and focused on instruction; and equips leaders with the tools to address today’s most pressing challenges in educator preparation. Guided by principles of learning science, DFI aims to help aspiring and early-career teachers create rigorous and inclusive classrooms where all children thrive. For more information, visit deansforimpact.org. 

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