York College of PA names Temple U. Associate Dean as Executive Director of the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation

York College of Pennsylvania has named Tamara Sniad, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Professional Experiences at Temple University, as the Executive Director of the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation. She will begin her work on April 1.

The Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation (GCCI) is a center for cross-disciplinary scholarship and experiential learning where students, faculty, and industry leaders work together to strengthen academics and enhance the greater community. Located in the Diehl House on Kings Mill Road, the GCCI comprises Knowledge Park, the Engaged Scholars and Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows, and the Center for Faculty Excellence.

“Dr. Sniad’s education and experiences are what York College needs to continue the evolution of the GCCI,” said President Thomas Burns. “She brings with her skills in creating curriculum, building relationships, and nurturing innovation­, which closely match what we seek in a new leader for this very important initiative at York College.”

Sniad has served for five years in her current position in Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development. In this role, she partners with faculty and staff across the university on teacher education curricula and programming, oversees the field office and career development, and serves as a representative and advocate at various local, state, and national professional organizations and initiatives addressing teacher shortages. She is also leading several grant-funded projects, including a $3 million U.S. Department of Education program supporting teachers and school leaders in promoting belonging and academic success for multilingual learners of English P-12 schools.

Previously, she focused on teaching, serving as an Associate Professor of Instruction at Temple and as an Assistant Professor in Rowan University’s College of Education. Specializing in differentiated instruction for multilingual learners of English and in culturally responsive pedagogy, she developed and taught teacher certification courses that spanned all grade levels and content areas, including elementary, middle, secondary, art, music, physical education, and career and technical education. As a faculty member, she was awarded the 2014 Temple College of Education Owlie Award for Innovative Teaching, the 2016 College of Education Graduate Teaching Award, and the 2017 Temple University Lindback Award for Excellence in Teaching.

While earning a doctorate in Educational Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania, Sniad served as an academic advisor, tutoring coordinator, and liaison with the Center for Community Partnerships. After earning her Ph.D., she took the position of director of the GEAR-UP program at Rutgers University-Camden. In this capacity, she developed a comprehensive college access program and cultivated relationships with businesses and industries to provide P-12 students with hands-on career development experiences. The insights she gained from this experience profoundly shaped her subsequent role as a director in a national education nonprofit organization. Committed to narrowing achievement gaps, she led partnerships with universities, individual schools, school districts, and other educational organizations to leverage out-of-school programs and project-based learning to bolster students’ in-school academic success.

Sniad looks forward to drawing on her vast experience in university-community partnerships, experiential learning, and professional development in her new role. “It is hard to put into words the excitement I feel for the opportunities York Colleges will be offering to students, faculty, and industry partners through the GCCI,” said Sniad. “The creation of the Center reflects the College’s deep understanding of and commitment to the need and interests of today’s college students. Through our partnerships, students will be able to work with industry leaders, be part of their thinking and innovation, and connect what they are learning in the classroom with meaningful professional opportunities.

“Seeing the engagement of local businesses at York College is inspirational, and I look forward to being a part of the collaboration and investment the College is making in the York community.”