University News
Interviews Scheduled for WIU Director of the School of Education
April 4, 2023
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Two candidates for the Western Illinois University Director of the School of Education will be on campus for interviews Friday, April 14 and Monday, April 17.
The two candidates are WIU Educational Studies Professor James G. La Prad (April 14) and School of Education Interim Director and Professor Sebastian P. Szyjka (April 17).
La Prad has been a faculty member in the School of Education since 2003. Prior to coming to Western, he was an expedition leader and Math and Science teacher for the Discovery Program at Prospect Heights Middle School in Orange, VA from 2001-02; a Science teacher and faculty sponsor at James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, VA, from 1998-01; a graduate instructor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1998; a graduate instructor and program assistant at the University of Virginia in Falls Church from 1997-98; and was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1988-96.
La Prad received his bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame; his master's and doctoral degrees in Social Foundations of Education, both from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
An open session with the campus community will be held from 11-11:30 a.m. in Horrabin Hall, room 60, or over Zoom at wiu.zoom.us/j/97293505835.
Szyjka has been interim director of the WIU School of Education since 2022, and a faculty member in the School of Education and Science Education since 2010, the undergraduate program director for the School of Education since 2019; and director of the Maurice Kellogg Science Education Center from 2019-22. Prior to coming to WIU, Szyjka was an assistant professor of Science Education at Central Michigan University from 2009-10; a graduate teaching assistant at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale from 2007-09; and a Science and Mathematics teacher for eighth grade for Harrison School District Two in Colorado Springs, CO.
Szyjka received his bachelor's degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration from WIU; his master's degree in Education from WIU; and his doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
An open session with the campus community will be held from 11-11:30 a.m. in Horrabin Hall, room 60, or over Zoom at wiu.zoom.us/j/93577674052.
To see complete vita information and interview schedules for each candidate, visit wiu.edu/employment.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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