Associate Professor of Education, Jean Rattigan-Rohr, has just received the title of Elon University's executive director of community partnerships. In this position, Rattigan-Rohr will serve as a permanent member of President Leo Lambert's senior staff. She has previously served on senior staff as faculty administrative fellow and assistant to President Lambert.
Rattigan-Rohr will continue her previous responsibilities of directing Elon's Center for Access and Success. In addition, she will take on duties that include representing Elon University in community partnerships in Alamance County. She will also provide leadership for socioeconomic diversity and educational access at the university.
"She is an exceptionally talented and respected educator who is dedicated to improving the lives of people in our community. This new position demonstrates our strong support of her work and our desire to expand Elon's partnerships in Alamance County," said Provost Steven House in a release Tuesday by the university.
While her new position will help Elon become more involved with surrounding communities, Rattigan-Rohr has been involved in providing educational opportunities to students for years.
Rattigan-Rohr joined the Elon School of Education faulty in 2007, and has since been an active scholar on topics in education. One accomplishment was the founding of the "It Takes a Village" Project. This literacy program promotes parent engagement and help from Elon students to assist struggling young readers. The project is also a part of Elon Academy, and the Center for Access and Success.
Rattigan-Rohr was raised in Jamaica, where she developed her passion for education at a young age. She began a career in broadcast journalism for Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. She then moved to New York City and was a manager of the desktop publishing team for Blair Television. She eventually moved to North Carolina and received a degree in speech language pathology and audiology, along with a master's in in special education and a doctorate in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.