Harmony Academy at National University announces its new Strategic Advisory Group

A who’s who of education leaders joined Harmony Academy’s new Strategic Advisory Group this month to ensure that the future of social and emotional learning (SEL) is effective, innovative, and responsive to the needs of today’s educators, students, families, and communities. 

“The expertise of these leaders is invaluable in guiding us toward greater innovation and effectiveness, and helping us shape the future of SEL education,” said Nick Yoder, PhD, Associate Vice President of the Center on Whole Human Education and Research at National University, who leads the new group. “I’m energized and inspired for what is to come.”

Harmony Academy is committed to providing evidence-based curricula, resources, and supports that act as a catalyst for positive change—shaping a generation of empathetic, confident, and successful life-long learners. Its robust catalog of solutions empowers students with critical thinking skills, the ability to forge positive relationships, and the drive to seek inclusive solutions. 

Harmony Academy convened the Strategic Advisory Group as it continues to expand its comprehensive curricula and resources that support students and adults in the many spaces where young people live and learn.

“Harmony Academy’s work extends beyond the classroom. We help build communities where inclusivity and empathy are the guiding forces both within and outside the school walls,” said Scott M. Page, Senior Vice President of National University. “This group will help us grow our innovative solutions and partnerships to that end.” 

The Strategic Advisory Group includes experts specializing in social and emotional learning, educational technology, SEL-academic integration, youth development, cultural competence, family engagement, and professional learning, as well as SEL practitioners: 

• David Adams, CEO, Urban Assembly, New York, NY
• Brian Arnold, Professor, NU SCOE, Los Angeles, CA
• Deborah Bergeron, Practice Integration Specialist, CASEL, Alexandria, VA
• Tyrone Martinez-Black, Practice Integration Specialist, CASEL, Chicago, IL
• Chris Cipriano, Associate Professor, Yale, New Haven, CT
• Jen DePaoli, Senior Researcher, Learning Policy Institute, Washington, DC
• Denise Diaz, Director of the Family Engagement Department, Clark County School District, Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
• Karla Estrada, Associate Superintendent Division of Instruction, LAUSD, Los Angeles, CA by
• Dawn Kulpa, Director for Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD/SEL), San Antonio ISD, San Antonio, TX
• Diana Martin, Chief Officer External Relations, US Soccer Foundation, Washington, DC
• Apurva Patel, Director, US Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact at Novo Nordisk Foundation, Washington, DC
• Teri Rousseau, Consultant, San Francisco, CA
• Terrell Strayhorn, Professor, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
• Larry Taylor, YMCA, Houston, TX

Harmony Academy previously convened a strategic advisory group in 2022 to support development of the Harmony Curriculum (Third Edition). The new group held its first gathering in June. 

About Harmony Academy

For more than a decade, Harmony Academy has been a leader in social and emotional learning. We offer dynamic SEL solutions for teachers, families, and communities that are research-backed and grounded in rigorous evaluation. Today, Harmony is transforming the lives of more than 18 million students in 57,000 schools and organizations across 50 states and 88 countries.