Faculty member recognized by National Education Finance Association

April 1, 2016 | News, Research, UToday, Judith Herb College of Education
By Ashley Gearheart



Each year, the National Education Finance Association presents the Distinguished Fellow of Research and Practice Award to higher education-affiliated professionals doing extraordinary work in the field of public education finance.

This lifetime award, which is regarded as one of the highest in the public education finance field, was presented to Dr. Randall Vesely, UT assistant professor of educational administration and supervision in the Judith Herb College of Education.

Dr. Randall Vesely, UT assistant professor of educational administration and supervision, right, received the Distinguished Fellow of Research and Practice Award last month from Dr. Craig Wood, University of Florida professor and president of the National Education Finance Association.

Dr. Randall Vesely, UT assistant professor of educational administration and supervision, right, received the Distinguished Fellow of Research and Practice Award last month from Dr. Craig Wood, University of Florida professor and president of the National Education Finance Association.

Vesely’s research is focused on state education funding systems and how they can decrease inequality for students at risk of academic failure.

“I seek to advance social justice for all students by adding to our current body of knowledge in the area of school finance, more specifically how at-risk factors, cultural diversity, socioeconomic conditions and individual differences influence the opportunities of all individuals to learn and contribute to their full potential,” Vesely said.

The Distinguished Fellow of Research and Practice Award was presented by Dr. Craig Wood, University of Florida professor and president of the National Education Finance Association, Feb. 12 during the annual conference in Jacksonville, Fla.

“I feel honored to be recognized by a committee of distinguished fellows from around the country, and pleased that I can represent my institution in a positive way,” Vesely said. “I am grateful to Dr. Faith Crampton, my doctoral professor at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and UT College of Education faculty and administrators Dr. Sekhar Pindiprolu, Dr. Virginia Keil, Dr. Penny Poplin Gosetti and Dr. Ed Janak for their mentoring and support. They have been very influential in my professional growth.”

Vesely has been with The University of Toledo for five years.

He also serves on the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of Education Finance and the Journal of Educational Considerations.