Skip to main content

Krista D. Glazewski Named Executive Director of Friday Institute, Associate Dean for Translational Research with College of Education

Graphic of quote: "I am thrilled to be part of a team dedicated to bridging research-to-practice approaches. The appointment enables continued opportunities to realize critical research-to-practice approaches and ensure that the advancements we make at NC State reach classrooms from the mountain region to the coastal plain and beyond." Krista D. Glazewski, Executive Director of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and Associate Dean for Translational Research with NC State's College of Education, effective July 1, 2023

Krista D. Glazewski—an expert in problem-based learning, scaffolding and teacher professional development—will be the executive director of the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation (FI) and associate dean for translational research with NC State’s College of Education, effective July 1, 2023. Currently, Glazewski is a professor and department chair of Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University’s School of Education. 

“As the executive director of the Friday Institute and associate dean of translational research at NC State’s College of Education, I am thrilled to be part of a team dedicated to bridging research-to-practice approaches,” said Glazewski. “The appointment enables continued opportunities to realize critical research-to-practice approaches and ensure that the advancements we make at NC State reach classrooms from the mountain region to the coastal plain and beyond.” 

A lifelong educator, Glazewski is a former middle school teacher originally from New Mexico. Her partnership work has spanned multiple regions in the U.S. to investigate how and under what conditions teachers might adopt and adapt new practices. The integration of these ideas has resulted in numerous contributions, and is distinguished by over 70 publications and $10 million in external funding primarily from the National Science Foundation, US Department of Education and the Department of Defense. 

Her work has focused on ways to develop instruction to support learning through complex problem solving with problem-, project-, case- and inquiry-based learning supported by foundational and emergent technologies. She has conducted this work in a variety of diverse contexts, from K-12 schools to the U.S. military to engineering education and in places all around the world. She also works with the National Science Foundation AI Institute for Engaged Learning, which is headquartered at NC State, as part of their senior personnel. 

“Dr. Glazewski will bring with her the right mix of experience and expertise to help the Friday Institute further flourish and address current and future education challenges in North Carolina,” said NC State College of Education Dean Paola Sztajn.

As executive director of the Friday Institute, Glazewski will provide executive leadership and management of the Friday Institute, which includes setting the vision for the FI to help ensure its success. As the associate dean for translational research in the College of Education, Glazewski will be part of the College of Education Dean’s Cabinet and Leadership Team and support the development and maintenance of collaborations between faculty in the College of Education and researchers and staff at the Friday Institute. 

“As with any organization, people are the heart and soul of the mission. Prior leaders have enabled and empowered the Friday Institute to become a nexus for equity-driven change, and I’m honored to be part of their company. The staff are defined by excellence across critical impact areas, such as educational research, evaluation, new literacies, professional learning, infrastructure building and the Mathematics and Science Education Network. Award-winning research fellows and affiliate faculty contribute knowledge that is both locally applied and nationally relevant,” Glazewski said. “It is my honor to continue the tradition of excellence alongside the staff, fellows and affiliates in research and participatory partnership. I look forward to our joint work in amplifying areas of excellence and addressing some of the biggest educational challenges that I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

Founded in 2005 as part of the NC State College of Education and located on NC State’s Centennial Campus adjacent to the Centennial Campus Middle School, the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation advances K-12 education through innovation in teaching, learning and leadership by bringing together K-12 educational professionals, researchers, policy-makers and other community members. In addition to fostering collaborations to improve education, Friday Institute scholars and staff conduct rigorous and objective research and evaluation, develop educational resources, provide professional development programs for educators and help inform decision-making and policy related to educational matters. 

Over 100 faculty, staff and graduate students at the Friday Institute work across project teams supported by over $19.9 million in grants, contracts, state funding and gifts. Since 2020, the Friday Institute has engaged 80,000 educators and all 115 public school districts in North Carolina, and has hosted over 160 countries and all 50 states through its online professional development courses for K-12 educators. 

The Friday Institute is named in honor of William Friday, former president of the University of North Carolina system, and his wife, Ida, who were passionate advocates and leaders in education for over 50 years.