|
Mark LaCelle-Peterson, founding president and CEO of AAQEP, has announced his intent to retire in September 2026.
In under a decade, LaCelle-Peterson has led AAQEP from its design stages and official launch in 2017 through the development of its first expectations framework, state and organizational partnerships, national recognition by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and its first standards renewal. Today the association serves over 200 educator preparation providers in 36 states and other jurisdictions, has 23 formal state partnership agreements, and is recognized for its strong support systems and collaborative ethos.
“We are indebted to Mark for his generous spirit as well as his incredible expertise,” said Virginia Goatley, dean of the School of Education at the University at Albany, SUNY, and chair of AAQEP’s Board of Directors. “AAQEP resonates with so many of us due to its emphasis on quality in context and the collegial community fostered under Mark’s leadership. He will leave behind a solid foundation for AAQEP to thrive, in both its work and its heart.”
“It has been an honor to participate in the development of this vibrant and supportive professional community.” LaCelle-Peterson said, “Our field’s twin commitments to quality and improvement continue to be an inspiration.”
LaCelle-Peterson had an extensive career in educator preparation and accreditation prior to working with colleagues to launch AAQEP. He held faculty and leadership appointments at several university-based educator preparation programs and served as president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council, as a member of the design team that created the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and as senior vice president for programs at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
AAQEP’s Board of Directors has formed a committee, led by Goatley, to search for LaCelle-Peterson’s successor. Other members of the search committee include Board Vice Chair Anthony Rivera, Secretary Sharmila Mann, Treasurer Amy Holcombe, and Accreditation Commission Chair Joe Lubig.
The committee plans to publish a position announcement and other details about the search later this month.
| 
