Alumna Stephanie Ceminsky Appointed as Interim Associate Dean
The University of La Verne community is thrilled to announce the appointment of Stephanie Ceminsky, EdD ’17, as the new interim associate dean of strategic initiatives and community engagement at the LaFetra College of Education, made effective on July 3. With an extensive background in teaching, educational leadership, state legislation, and high-quality programming, Ceminsky brings a wealth of experience to the role.
In her role, Ceminsky will maintain and expand upon the college’s strong partnerships with TK-12 school districts in California. She will also lead operations and projects within the college including neurodiversity early learning programs, including dyslexia teacher training programs, and will work closely with leaders to advance early learning and early care initiatives.
“Our aim is to provide enriching early learning opportunities to spark children’s curiosity and build confidence, so every child has the potential to thrive,” Ceminsky said.
Prior to joining LaFetra College of Education, Ceminsky spearheaded initiatives for the passage of Universal Transitional Kindergarten (TK) legislation in the state of California. She served as the coauthor for the creation and implementation of the two-year state Assembly Bill 22 for Universal Transitional Kindergarten with California State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, as part of the 2023-2024 Governor’s Budget Education Omnibus Trailer Bill. She developed key systems and programs at the district level that led to state recognition for their efforts.
During her tenure as the Early Learning and GATE Program director in the San Diego Unified School District, she oversaw the district-university partnership with the LaFetra College of Education, which created multiple pathways for district educators to earn degrees and professional certificates. The partnership was awarded more than $1 million in grant funds by the California Department of Education and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to support district educators earning degrees, TK Certificates, and Child Development Teacher Permits (CDTP) through specialized pathways and district cohorts. The partnership was awarded the 2023 District-University Partnership Award by the California Association of School-University Partnerships (CASUP).
She also held teaching positions as an elementary and special education teacher and was a principal and vice principal at the elementary, middle, and secondary school levels, where her institutions earned recognitions, including California Distinguished Schools, honors for WASC accreditation, and a California School to Watch.
Ceminsky completed her doctorate degree in organizational leadership and continues to serve as an adjunct faculty and dissertation committee member.
