2013 Distinguished Alumna Award Phyllis K. Lerner | Springfield College

2013 Distinguished Alumna Award Phyllis K. Lerner

 

lerner-small.jpgSPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Phyllis K. Lerner has been awarded the 2013 Springfield College Distinguished Alumna Award, given annually to recognize professional excellence and outstanding service to community, state, and/or nation.  

Lerner was presented the award at the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner held at the Cleveland E. and Phyllis B. Dodge Room in the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union as part of the College’s homecoming celebration.

Since graduating from Springfield College in 1971 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education, Lerner has dedicated her professional career to education, and gender and racial equality.  She is currently a faculty associate for the John Hopkins University Graduate School of Education and its national partnership with Teach for America.  Lerner also serves as a consultant for the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, which is a design and response team for district based Civil Rights compliance focused on professional development programs with the Maryland Parental Information Resource Center. 

Lerner’s influence and career path in the world of education and equality have led to many roles in the education world, including the field service consultant for the California State Department of Education’s Title IX Office, a position she held 1979 through 1991.  Lerner is currently the Title IX program director for the Sankofa Project, which is committed to raising the bar of expectation for female scholar athletes in the classroom, on the court, and in the communities.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Lerner has always made time to give back through numerous organizations that include the American Jewish World Service Senior Volunteer Corps; Girls Inc. of Washington, D.C.; the National Coalition for Sex Equity in Education; and Children’s International Summer Villages.

A native of Bethesda, Md., Lerner continues to serve the Springfield College community as a mentor, supporter, and networker.  She recently chaired the Class of 1971 reunion committee and helped organize its Fireside Chats on campus giving classmates and attendees a chance to interact around the varied experience of the class’ complex years at the College.