San Francisco, CA — July 16, 2015 — Harold Levine, PhD, Dean of the School of Education at the University of California (UC) at Davis, where he also serves as a Professor of Education, has been elected Chair of the WestEd Board of Directors. Levine begins his one-year leadership position Thursday, July 16.

Levine is an anthropologist whose research interests and publications focus on the study of a wide range of organizations and cultural practices using qualitative, observational methods. After 22 years as a professor, chair, and interim dean at UCLA’s School of Education, Levine became the founding Dean of the School of Education at UC Davis, where he has guided the school to translate theory and research into effective practice.

He has also worked to bring the best of thinking and research in multiple disciplines together to help address the most difficult problems in today’s public schools and classrooms.

WestEd’s Board of Directors is made up of leaders from public and private education, business, and human services communities. Board members take an active role in agency leadership and strategic planning.

“Harold Levine has served on WestEd’s Board of Directors for seven years, and has contributed greatly in the critical juncture between research and practice,” says Glen Harvey, WestEd CEO. “I’m delighted that his colleagues have elected him to serve as our new Board Chair.”

“WestEd is at the nexus of many of the challenging issues facing education and society today, and through its research, development and services, has continued to make a difference in the lives of families, teachers, administrators and under-represented groups,” says Harold Levine. “I look forward to working with the accomplished group of professionals who compose WestEd’s board to continue that tradition.”

Levine is taking the Board leadership reins from Beverly Young, who served as chair for 2014-15.

In addition to his leadership position on the WestEd Board, Levine serves on the following boards: EdSource, City Year Sacramento, UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, and West Sacramento Early College Preparatory Charter School.

Levine received a BA in anthropology from Northwestern University and a PhD in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania.