College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

People

Gary Prest

  • Director, Administrative Licensure; Co-Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Education Policy and Leadership; Co-Director, Urban Leadership Academy

As a University of Minnesota alumni, I am grateful to serve this great institution and its students as the Director of Administrative Licensure and lead in leadership development for educational administrators.

    DEGREES

    Ed.D., University of Minnesota, educational administration 
    Spec. Cert., University of Minnesota, educational administration
    M.E., University of Minnesota, elementary education
    B.S. with Distinction, University of Minnesota, elementary education

      AREAS OF INTEREST

      Leadership training and development
      Leadership research
      Organizational change
      Institutional culture
      Strategic thinking
       

        BIOGRAPHY

        Profile

        As a University of Minnesota alumni, I am grateful to serve this great institution and its students as the Director of Administrative Licensure and lead in leadership development for educational administrators. I teach and advise at the post-baccalaureate level; have extensive experience leading large school district organizations as principal, central office administrator, and superintendent; and have served as an educational consultant and business development coordinator in a private enterprise with clients throughout the state of Minnesota.

        Courses taught

        OLPD 5396—Field Experience in PK-12 Administration: Authentic Practice in Leadership

        Awards and honors

        Excellence in Educational Leadership,  University Council for Educational Administration (2020)

        Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota (2014)

        2006 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year, Minnesota Association of School Administrators (2006)

        25 Year Club Educator of the Year, Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (2006)

        Russel C. Hill Award for Character Education, Learning for Life (2001)

        Professional affiliations

        Phi Delta Kappan (1988-present)
        American Association of School Administrators (1987-present)
        Minnesota Association of School Administrators (1987-present)
        MASA Executive Development Committee (2006-present)
        Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (2014-present)

        Gary Prest