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SPP Alumna Hanna Skandera (MPP '00) will Lecture on Education Leadership this Fall


School of Public Policy Faculty - Hanna Skandera

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy is proud to announce that Hanna Skandera (MPP '00) will serve as the Visiting Professor of Education Policy and Impact, leading a course on education leadership, policy, and politics for the Fall 19-20 academic year.

Skandera has leveraged her Master of Public Policy degree to serve in significant public policy roles with broad impact across the country for three governors and a US president, most recently as the Secretary of Education for the State of New Mexico under Governor Susana Martinez. She has a track record of realizing record-breaking outcomes, including graduation rates reaching an all-time high, AP course enrollment more than doubling, and the dramatic reduction of high school graduates’ college remediation rates.

"While we've taught education policy courses regularly over the years here at SPP, our new Visiting Professor of Education Policy and Impact marks a new focus on preparing public policy leaders across government and nonprofit sectors," dean Pete Peterson notes. "In the midst of a respected career as a leader in education policy, we're delighted to welcome Hanna back to Malibu to both teach our grad students and help strategize our future programs in this field."

“Education is foundational to America’s fabric and developing impactful leaders who are passionate and prepared for the challenge is critical to delivering on our promise for all students,” adds Skandera. “I am grateful for so many mentors who have invested in me and my peers and look forward to shaping the next generation of leaders through this opportunity.”

Currently, Skandera is the chief executive officer of Mile High Strategies serving as an education and employability entrepreneur, thought leader, senior advisor, and executive coach in leadership development and strategy, growing organizational impact, and transforming organizational culture. Skandera is also editor-in-chief of The Line, founder of Pathway 2 Tomorrow, chief in residence with Chiefs for Change, superintendent in residence with the Broad Center, and a former distinguished teaching fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

In addition to serving as secretary of education for the State of New Mexico under Susana Martinez, she served as undersecretary for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, deputy commissioner for Governor Jeb Bush and deputy chief of staff, and senior policy advisor for US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. Skandera was also a research fellow with the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and a Pahara-Aspen Institute fellow. Skandera graduated cum laude with a degree in business from Sonoma State University and graduated at the top of her class from the Pepperdine School of Public Policy.

She serves on the Colorado Community College Board, Daniels Fund Board, Great Cities, Great Schools Advisory Committee, Uncharted Learning Advisory Board, Code.org Board, Pepperdine School of Public Policy Advisory Committee, is chair of the George W. Bush Center Education Advisory Board, and is former chair of Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan policy and advocacy organization she launched.