The REL Southwest Governing Board provides strategic guidance to help prioritize the education needs of the states in our region, maximize local effectiveness, and leverage members’ regional networks to amplify and disseminate REL products. Governing Board members represent diverse interests and areas of expertise to ensure that REL Southwest’s work serves all educators and students in our region.

Erin Brewer

State: Oklahoma
Parent, Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee
A parent of two teens who attend public schools in Oklahoma City, Erin Brewer is well known for her fierce advocacy on behalf of students and families. Brewer’s career encompasses the nonprofit, education, and small business sectors. She serves as vice president of the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee, a nonpartisan statewide organization that promotes policies that strengthen, support, and protect the Oklahoma public school system. Brewer also has served at United Way of Central Oklahoma, as board president for Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma, and in volunteer roles at a number of nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Cade Brumley

State: Louisiana
State Superintendent of Education, Louisiana Department of Education
Cade Brumley, Ed.D., began his tenure as the Louisiana state superintendent of education in 2020. Committed to improving the lives of Louisiana children, Dr. Brumley has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, district leader, and superintendent. Prior to his current role, Dr. Brumley served as superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools and DeSoto Parish Schools. In addition, he served as president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Brumley holds a doctorate of education in school leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University and has completed several postdoctorate fellowships centered around urban education in America.

Jennifer Chidsey

State: Texas
Associate Commissioner of Organizational Development, Texas Education Agency
Jennifer Chidsey serves as associate commissioner of organizational development at the Texas Education Agency, where she leads cross-divisional strategic efforts and agency-wide performance management to improve student outcomes statewide. Dr. Chidsey began her career as a secondary science teacher and has more than 30 years of experience in K–16 education. Prior, she served as managing director of learning and impact at the Holdsworth Center, as president and chief academic officer of the Ross Institute, as director of data services and curriculum for the Asia Society’s International Studies Schools Network, and as director of K–12 Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Dr. Chidsey holds a doctorate in global education leadership from the University of Southern California.

Alisa Cooper de Uribe

State: New Mexico
First Grade Bilingual Teacher, New Mexico International School
Born in Wyoming and raised in Ratón, New Mexico, Alisa Cooper de Uribe has been a first grade bilingual teacher at the New Mexico International School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since 2011. Previously, Cooper de Uribe worked in immigration law in Albuquerque and as a translator in the greater Mexico City area. She also worked at the Metropolitan Opera for a season, where she met Plácido Domingo! Cooper de Uribe received an M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College. Her philosophy is that all people should have the opportunity to become multilingual, a cherished gift that opens doors to diverse perspectives.

Dr. Bryan Duke

State: Oklahoma
Interim Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of Central Oklahoma
Bryan L. Duke, Ph.D., is the interim dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies and professor of Educational Sciences, Foundations, and Research (ESFR) at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). An educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Duke previously served at UCO as associate dean; assistant dean/director of Educator Preparation; and ESFR department chair and faculty member. Prior to joining UCO, he was an English teacher at Brink Junior High and Westmoore High School and an assistant principal at Moore West Junior High and the district's Night Alternative School, all in Moore Public Schools, Oklahoma. Dr. Duke holds a doctorate in instructional psychology and technology from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Pat Forgione

State: Texas
Superintendent (Retired), Austin Independent School District
Pascal (Pat) D. Forgione Jr., Ph.D., has led an extensive career as an educator and educational administrator. In 2009 Dr. Forgione was appointed distinguished presidential scholar and executive director of the K–12 Center at the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Prior, he served 10 years as superintendent of the Austin Independent School District in Texas. In addition he has served as U.S. Commissioner of Education Statistics for the National Center for Education Statistics, Delaware State Superintendent for Public Instruction, and in 1991, was the first executive director for the U.S. Department of Education's National Education Goals Panel. He also has extensive experience in educational research and assessment and has served as a consultant to numerous educational organizations and initiatives, including the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association. In 2008, Dr. Forgione received the Richard R. Green Award as the National Urban Educator of the Year from the Council of the Great City Schools. He holds a doctorate in administration and policy analysis from Stanford University.

LaRhonda M. Fulcher

State: Arkansas
Project Director, Partners for Rural Impact
LaRhonda M. Fulcher is project director of Partners for Rural Impact, which uses a place-based approach to empower rural leaders and communities to accelerate educational outcomes for all students. Previously, Fulcher served as director of adult education at Pulaski Technical College and as assistant director/lead instructor at Arkansas Baptist College, both in Little Rock, Arkansas. She also serves as an adjunct instructor at Philander Smith College. Deeply committed to improving outcomes and learning objectives of clients and students, Fulcher holds a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Arkansas.

Jackie Govan

State: Arkansas
Director, Arkansas State Collaboration Office, Arkansas Head Start Association
Jacqualine (Jackie) Govan, Ed.S., serves as collaboration director for the Arkansas Head Start State Collaboration Office. In this role, Govan works as a liaison between local Head Start grantees, state agencies, and other early childhood organizations in Arkansas. Previously, she chaired the Governor's Arkansas Early Childhood Commission and has served as a Head Start mentor coach, as an early learning reading coordinator for Little Rock School District, and as a public school principal, assistant principal, and teacher. Govan holds an education specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas and is certified as an English as a Second Language trainer.

Dr. Rashida Govan

State: Louisiana
Executive Director, Project Butterfly New Orleans
Rashida Govan, Ph.D., is the founder and executive director of Project Butterfly New Orleans, an evidence-based, African-centered rites of passage program that provides mentoring and culturally rooted programming to prepare girls of African descent for their transition from adolescence to adulthood. A fierce advocate for African American girls and women, Dr. Govan has more than 20 years of experience in education, youth development, and policy advocacy and is deeply engaged in the New Orleans community. Dr. Govan holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of New Orleans.

Dr. April Grace

State: Oklahoma
Adjunct Faculty, Southern Nazarene University; Superintendent (Retired), Shawnee Public Schools
April Grace, Ed.D., is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Nazarene University. Throughout her more than 30 years as an educator in Oklahoma, Dr. Grace has focused on reimagining, redefining, and redesigning education to better serve students. She served for seven years as superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools and prior, as assistant superintendent of human resources at Putnam City Schools. In addition, she served as president of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA), and in 2021, was named OASA State Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Grace holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Dr. Patricia Jimenez-Latham

State: New Mexico
Senior Advisor for Communications and Outreach, Future Focused Education
Patricia Jimenez-Latham, Ed.D., is the senior advisor for communications and outreach at Future Focused Education, where she provides capstone program support to New Mexico school districts and the state education agency. With some four decades of experience in K–20 education settings and the nonprofit sector, Dr. Jimenez-Latham has focused her career on ensuring equity and access to high-quality education experiences for diverse student populations and the educators who serve them. Formerly, she was director of the Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations at New Mexico Highlands University, where she served in various roles for more than 18 years. Dr. Jimenez-Latham holds a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Dr. Kelli Joseph

State: Louisiana
Superintendent, St. Helena Parish School District
Kelli Joseph, Ed.D, has served as a teacher and school and district administrator in the Louisiana public school system for more than 25 years. Since 2011, Dr. Joseph has been superintendent of St. Helena Parish School District. In this role, she has been instrumental in developing a system that has improved educational outcomes for students, and in 2020, was named Louisiana State Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Joseph holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Southeastern Louisiana University, attended Harvard University’s Leadership Institute for Superintendents, and received a certification in Lay Ecclesiastical Ministry from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Dr. David Kauffman

State: Texas
School Board Trustee, Austin Independent School District
David Kauffman, Ed.D., is an educational leader and advocate dedicated to pursuing equitable opportunity and achievement for all students. Dr. Kauffman is the founder of a multilingual education consulting business and a part-time assistant professor of practice in the Texas Principal Leadership Academy at the University of Texas at Austin. He began his career as a teacher and has devoted more than 30 years to public education, including 17 years in the Austin Independent School District in Texas as a principal, executive director for multilingual education, and currently, a school board trustee. Dr. Kauffman earned a doctorate from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Rebecca Kilburn

State: New Mexico
Research Professor, University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center
Rebecca Kilburn, Ph.D., is a research professor at the University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center, where she focuses primarily on prevention and health promotion for children. She is passionate about the use of data and evidence to improve practice and policy, and her recent research and evaluation studies have examined youth risk and resiliency, virtual home visiting, and the four-day school week. Previously, Dr. Kilburn served as a senior economist at the RAND Corporation. She has authored numerous publications and testified before U.S. Congressional committees. Dr. Kilburn holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago.

Courtney Lincoln

State: Arkansas
Senior Director of Programs, ForwARd Arkansas
Courtney Lincoln serves as the senior director of programs for ForwARd Arkansas, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every Arkansas student has access to and is prepared for opportunities in life and a career in today's world. Lincoln joined ForwARd Arkansas in 2017 as chief of staff, serving as a liaison to ForwARd Community ambassadors and its Implementation Working Group. Prior, she worked 14 years on Capitol Hill as deputy chief of staff to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in letters from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Sarah McKenzie

State: Arkansas
Executive Director, Office of Education Policy, College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansa
Sarah McKenzie, Ph.D., is executive director of the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. The Office serves as a resource to aid state legislators, school board members, and other policymakers in thoughtful decisionmaking concerning K–12 education in Arkansas. Previously, Dr. McKenzie was director of assessment, research, and accountability for Fayetteville Public Schools and also worked at the National Office for Research on Measurement and Evaluation Systems, Central’s Center for Children, and the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. She holds a doctorate in educational statistics and research methods from the University of Arkansas and was awarded a Walton Foundation Doctoral Fellowship.

Mike Morath

State: Texas
Commissioner of Education, Texas Education Agency
Mike Morath has served as Texas commissioner of education since 2016. In this role, he heads the Texas Education Agency, which oversees prekindergarten through high school education for more than 5.5 million students. Prior, Morath served on the Dallas Independent School District board of trustees for more than four years. While starting his first company, Morath stepped in to teach an advanced computer science class at his high school alma mater until a permanent teacher could be hired and remains amazed at how difficult it is to teach. Morath earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, summa cum laude, from George Washington University.

Jacob Oliva

State: Arkansas
Secretary and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Arkansas Department of Education
Jacob Oliva has served as secretary for the Arkansas Department of Education and as commissioner of the agency’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education since January 2023. Prior to this appointment, Oliva served in numerous roles at the Florida Department of Education, most recently as interim commissioner. Oliva began his career more than two decades ago as an elementary teacher for students with special needs. He later served as a principal at both the elementary and high school levels and as an assistant superintendent and superintendent of Flagler County Schools. He is a graduate of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Flagler College in Florida.

Dr. Arsenio Romero

State: New Mexico
Secretary of Education, New Mexico Public Education Department
A New Mexico native and son of an educator, Arsenio Romero, Ph.D., is the secretary of education for New Mexico. Prior to this post, Dr. Romero was superintendent of Los Lunas Schools, superintendent and CEO of Deming Public Schools, assistant superintendent of instruction for the Roswell Independent School District, and a principal and turnaround leader for the Las Cruces Public Schools, where he began his career as an elementary school teacher. Dr. Romero also has taught in higher education as an adjunct professor at Eastern New Mexico University and New Mexico State University and served on the New Mexico State University’s Board of Regents and the Governor of New Mexico’s Central Racial Equity Committee. He holds a doctorate in educational management and development from New Mexico State University.

Dr. Don Schillinger

State: Louisiana
Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, Louisiana Tech University
Don Schillinger, Ph.D., is the Chase Bank Endowed Professor and dean of Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education and Human Sciences. In addition, Dr. Schillinger has served as a tenured faculty member, associate dean of undergraduate studies, director of clinical and field experiences, and director of assessment and accreditation and IT supervision. Previously, he was the department head at McNeese State University’s Burton College of Education, director for assessment at the University of Mississippi’s School of Education, co-director of the Center for Educational Research and Evaluation, and director of the Teach Mississippi Institute. Dr. Schillinger holds a doctorate in secondary education from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Libbie Sonnier

State: Louisiana
Executive Director, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D., has served as executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children since 2019. Deeply committed to children, Dr. Sonnier has led system-wide initiatives for the betterment of children, families, caregivers, and practitioners for more than two decades. Her research experience enables her to translate scientific findings into meaningful and practical policies that support better life outcomes for children. Prior, Dr. Sonnier served as a state director of two federal programs, where she developed and implemented pilot programs to improve direct services for children birth to age five and their families. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the 2022 Friends of Children award from the Louisiana Early Childhood Association. Dr. Sonnier holds a doctorate in human development from Virginia Tech.

David Sullivan

State: Oklahoma
Indian Education Program Director, Anadarko Public Schools
David Sullivan, a member of the Kiowa Nation, is the Indian Education program director at Anadarko Public Schools in Oklahoma. In this role, Sullivan directs the administration of academic interventions, place-based supports, cultural involvement activities, and partnership-based student projects to meet the unique educational needs of American Indian students. In addition, he oversees the district’s Special Services Program and Kiowa Language Class/District Culture Program. Sullivan holds an M.P.A. in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Lori Taylor

State: Texas
Professor, Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
Lori L. Taylor, Ph.D., is head of the Department of Public Service and Administration and holds the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Chair in Business and Government at the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University. Dr. Taylor is also the principal investigator for the Texas Smart Schools Initiative. Prior, Dr. Taylor spent 14 years as an economist and policy advisor in the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and four years as director of the Bush School’s Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy. She has written extensively on school finance issues, and in 2020, was named a Distinguished Fellow of Research and Practice by the National Education Finance Academy. Dr. Taylor holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Rochester.

Dr. Jenna Thomas

State: Oklahoma
Chief of Staff, Oklahoma State Department of Education
Jenna Thomas, Ph.D., is the chief of staff for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Previously, Dr. Thomas served as the agency’s chief operating officer. Her other experience includes serving as the people analytics lead for the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, an Oklahoma state government agency, where she conducted research on public sector employee engagement. Dr. Thomas also serves as a consultant to Oklahoma state government agencies on workforce and succession planning. She holds a doctorate in social psychology from the University of Oklahoma.

Ashley Townsend

State: Louisiana
Deputy Chief of Policy, Louisiana Department of Education
Ashley Townsend is deputy chief of policy at the Louisiana Department of Education, where she previously served as director of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Policy. Earlier in her career, Townsend worked for 18 years as a public school elementary teacher in multiple subject areas, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She served on the National Science Teaching Association’s Committee on Preschool–Elementary Science Teaching, was the 2019 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators Elementary Teacher of the Year, and is a two-time winner of the Shell Regional Science Lab Challenge. Townsend earned a master’s degree in elementary education and teaching from Louisiana State University.

Mayra Valtierrez

State: New Mexico
Director of Language and Culture, New Mexico Public Education Department
A strong advocate for cultural and linguistic responsiveness, Mayra Valtierrez is the director of language and culture at the New Mexico Public Education Department. In this role, Valtierrez focuses on policy and programs related to language and culture, migrant education, and state bilingual multicultural education and serves as a liaison for the district’s Hispanic education programs.

Ryan Walters

State: Oklahoma
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Oklahoma State Department of Education; Chief Executive Officer, Every Kid Counts Oklahoma
A passionate and lifelong advocate for helping every Oklahoma student reach their full potential, Ryan Walters has served as secretary of public education for Oklahoma since 2020. In this role, he works to empower educators, caregivers, and community leaders to improve Oklahoma’s education system for all students. In addition, Walters serves as chief executive officer of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma. Prior, he was executive director of Oklahoma Achieves, an initiative of the State Chamber of Oklahoma that sought to engage the business community in education. Walters began his career teaching AP U.S. History at Millwood High School and McAlester High School and was named an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2016. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Harding University.

Chris West

State: New Mexico
Executive Director, Office of Accountability and Reporting, Albuquerque Public Schools
Chris West is the executive director of the Office of Accountability and Reporting at Albuquerque Public Schools. In this role, West directs all aspects of the district's assessments, student information systems, and strategic analysis and research programs. With a passion for data quality and expanding data ownership, he is interested in making research designs accessible and useful for all. West has more than two decades of experience with education analysis and research, and previously worked at Santa Fe Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools. West received an M.A. in sociology from George Washington University.

Dr. Lindsay Whorton

State: Texas
President, The Holdsworth Center
Lindsay Whorton, Ph.D., is a founding member of the Holdsworth Center, a nonprofit established in 2017 by HEB Chairman Charles Butt to build stronger leaders for Texas public schools. Dr. Whorton helped design the blueprint for the center’s programming and has served as president since 2019. As the center’s leader, she is dedicated to living Holdsworth’s values to be of service, believe in people, and drive for excellence and equity. Previously, she worked as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group in Washington D.C. Dr. Whorton holds a doctorate in social policy from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.