Dr. Ken Coll, professor of counseling and educational psychology in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Nevada, Reno, is serving as chair-elect of WestEd, a national leader in research, development and service for education and human-services organizations. 

Coll, who will become chair during 2022-2023, will be the first Nevadan in more than a decade to serve as chair of the non-profit, non-political organization headquartered in San Francisco. 

As chair, Coll will serve a key role in establishing the strategic direction of WestEd as it works with educators and policymakers to reduce gaps in educational opportunity and promote positive outcomes for all children and adults. 

The WestEd board of directors includes 50 top executives of educational, business and human services organizations in Nevada, California, Arizona and Utah. Donald Easton-Brooks, dean of the University’s College of Education and Human Development, also serves on the WestEd board. 

As a member of the WestEd board of directors since 2014 and former dean of the College of Education and Human Development, Coll said his experience with educational issues in Nevada will help to ensure that the state’s interests are addressed in WestEd’s work. Recently, for example, the non-profit has assisted in the development of distance-learning and hybrid educational models in Nevada. 

Coll has been a member of the University faculty since 2013.