New director named for Ohio State’s P-12 Project

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University has named Nancy Nestor-Baker as the new director of its P-12 Project, which is designed to strengthen the university’s commitment to P-12 education throughout the state with a special emphasis on the education of underserved young people. The appointment was announced by Executive Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray.

As director, Nestor-Baker will provide the leadership to continue to develop the project beyond the substantial foundation that already has been accomplished by former director Daryl Siedentop, who is stepping down from the post at the end of summer. Among the current initiatives of the P-12 Project are the Learning Bridge, a neighborhood revitalization project in the University District; Community Connection, which matches faculty and students with neighborhood schools and community service organizations; and the Early Childhood Education Center, which will serve youngsters in the Weinland Park neighborhood.

Nestor-Baker comes to Ohio State from the University of Cincinnati, where she is assistant professor of education and coordinator of its educational administration program. She holds her bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in education from Ohio State. An active member of the education community, Nestor-Baker is a longtime member of the Westerville City Schools Board of Education and is currently the board president.

“Nancy’s commitment to P-12 education and her considerable knowledge of the education community will serve her well in her new position,” Ray said. “I am extremely pleased that she will be joining us.”

Among the goals of the P-12 Project are to develop and implement a strategic P-12 outreach plan, provide an organizing structure for campus-wide outreach, help improve schools and increase student performance, help improve the initial preparation and continuing professional development of educators, and assist in the development of statewide policies and programs.