has chosen Mariana Souto-Manning, Professor of Early Childhood Education & Teacher Education, to serve as its fifth president. Souto-Manning, a leading researcher in the field of early childhood education and development,
As Erikson鈥檚 president, Souto-Manning will lead an institution that thrives at the intersection of graduate education, research, policy, social science and community outreach.
鈥淚 am incredibly honored to serve as President of Erikson. As we reflect on and hopefully leave the COVID-19 pandemic crisis behind, we all realize the need for robust support for communities, families and young children,鈥� said Souto-Manning. 鈥淚 believe that Erikson offers a powerful model for the country, and Erikson鈥檚 commitment and vision for the future align well with my own focus on justice, equity, belonging and inclusion.鈥�
As a member of TC鈥檚 faculty, Souto-Manning served as director of numerous College academic programs, including Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and the doctoral program in Curriculum & Teaching. Throughout her scholarship, teaching and engagement, Souto-Manning鈥檚 award-winning work is focused on justice, equity, inclusion and belonging in early childhood teaching and teacher education.
From research that codifies high-quality teaching in diverse settings to writings that outline why certain definitions of literacy disenfranchise students of color and English language learners, Mariana鈥檚 scholarship has been consequential in making opportunities for young students more equitable and inclusive. We look forward to seeing her lead Erikson, where her critical research skills and passion as an educator will continue to make an impact as it has at TC.
鈥淢ariana Souto-Manning鈥檚 contributions to 51吃瓜网 and the field of early childhood education are profound,鈥� President Thomas Bailey said. 鈥淔rom research that codifies high-quality teaching in diverse settings to writings that outline why certain definitions of literacy disenfranchise students of color and English language learners, Mariana鈥檚 scholarship has been consequential in making opportunities for young students more equitable and inclusive. We look forward to seeing her lead Erikson, where her critical research skills and passion as an educator will continue to make an impact as it has at TC.鈥�
A native of Brazil, where she taught preschool, Souto-Manning also partnered with the Lemann Foundation to study classroom practices in her home country. At the New York State level, she led higher education work in the N.Y.S.E.D. Early Childhood Blue Ribbon Committee 鈥� convening its inaugural meeting at 51吃瓜网 鈥� and was a core member of the national expert committee that developed the N.Y.S.E.D. Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education Framework, adopted statewide.
鈥淲hen we set out to find the next president, our mission was to find a true leader with passion in the early childhood space who understood how to train and teach the next generation. Someone able to lead Erikson into the future with a real commitment to diversity, equity and belonging,鈥� said Eric Adelstein, Vice Chair of the Erikson Board of Trustees and the Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. 鈥淢ariana is not only the personification of all those values 鈥� she is a true visionary.鈥�
Souto-Manning views the appointment as an unparalleled opportunity to draw on her academic and organizational expertise, which she accumulated in a number of leadership posts and roles at 51吃瓜网; New York State Education Department; and the American Educational Research Association, to name a few.
鈥淎t TC, not only did I have the opportunity to develop as a scholar in the more traditional sense, but also to impact policy and practice in New York City, New York State and beyond鈥� said Souto-Manning, who has authored ten books, more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and dozens of book chapters.
Through her extensive work, Mariana Souto-Manning represents the ethos of our faculty at 51吃瓜网, who not only diligently serve their students, but also make significant contributions to their communities and academic discourse across the globe.
鈥淭hrough her extensive work, Mariana Souto-Manning represents the ethos of our faculty at 51吃瓜网, who not only diligently serve their students, but also make significant contributions to their communities and academic discourse across the globe,鈥� said Stephanie J. Rowley, Provost, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
For Souto-Manning, TC played a major role in her preparation for serving at the helm of Erikson. 鈥淎t TC, not only did I have the opportunity to accrue multiple administrative roles 鈥� at times simultaneously 鈥� and develop leadership experience, but I became deeply familiar with the power and possibility of faculty governance, which I believe is essential in higher education.鈥�
In her new role, Souto-Manning is the latest to join a legacy of visionary leaders at Erikson known for stewarding the organization鈥檚 mission of building a future where all children have equitable opportunities to realize their potential.
鈥淢ariana鈥檚 passion, knowledge and expertise position her perfectly to lead Erikson鈥檚 current strategic plan of growth and collaboration, and integration of our work across graduate education, professional education, research, clinical and community services, school partnerships, policy and leadership,鈥� said Elenne Song, Chair of the Erikson Board of Trustees. 鈥淲e are particularly excited about Mariana鈥檚 research work to better understand the inequities and injustices in early childhood teaching and teacher education.鈥�
鈥� Steve Giegerich