Forward Arkansas on Tuesday said Susan Bonesteel Harriman has been named as executive director of the public-private partnership created with the intent of improving public education in the state.
Harriman will start May 1, according to a news release. Her history in public education includes serving as policy and special projects director at the state Department of Education, a role she has held since 2010.
In a news release, Harriman said: “I’m truly honored to be joining a movement that I know will close our state’s achievement gap and make Arkansas a national leader for public education within a generation.”
She has also worked as director of state services at the National Center for Educational Achievement, as secretary's regional representative at the U.S. Department of Education and as founding executive director at the Texas Public Education Reform Foundation.
Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key said Harriman's commitment to innovation and improvement has been "invaluable" during her time in the education department.
“I am glad that she is taking on this new role to continue advancing education in Arkansas to where it should be," Key said.
Read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.