New CEO to lead University Public Schools Inc.
<p>Beatriz Rendón, an educational innovator and accomplished school administrator, has been appointed associate vice president of Educational Outreach and Student Services at Arizona State University. She will serve as chief executive officer of University Public Schools Inc. (UPSI), leading an already successful program launched under the leadership of Eugene Garcia.</p><separator></separator><p>UPSI currently operates two charter schools. More than 250 students are enrolled at the Polytechnic Elementary School located near the ASU Polytechnic campus. Now in its second year, the school has achieved “Excelling” school status. University Public School Phoenix, in partnership with Phoenix Elementary School District No. 1, located on Seventh Street and Fillmore, opened in August 2009 and currently serves more than 650 students in grades K-8. UPSI schools provide a learning environment in which students are challenged by high-quality educational content featuring a rigorous curriculum, individual learning plans, collaborative teaching teams, technologically rich learning environments and foreign language education.</p><separator></separator><p>Rendón worked as the chief business officer for the Tucson Unified School district and served in several executive capacities for the Chicago Board of Education and within the Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school district in the country. In Chicago, she worked with then CEO of the Chicago Public School system, Arne Duncan, as a key leader executing Mayor Richard M. Daley's education reform effort to launch 100 independently operated schools.</p><separator></separator><p>“Rendón possesses an impressive and extensive combination of education, experience and creativity that will enrich and advance the development of ASU’s University Public Schools Initiative,” ASU President Michael Crow said. “We are very pleased to welcome her demonstrated leadership to our university community,”</p><separator></separator><p>"I am thrilled to be a part of Arizona State University's transformational University Public Schools initiative. We have a unique opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the students and families in Arizona. I am excited to be part of that challenge,” Rendón said.</p><separator></separator><p>“Beatriz has a deep commitment to educational reform and equity as well as a keen understanding of the importance of working with teachers and families to meet the individual needs of the students,” said James Rund, senior vice president of Educational Outreach and Student Services. “She has a strong record of demonstrated success that is both timely and critical to advancing Arizona State University’s agenda to increase access to high quality education for Arizona children.”</p><separator></separator><p>Rendón holds a juris doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, a master's of public policy from University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona in political science with a minor in music performance.</p><separator></separator><p>Rendón, who speaks both Spanish and Russian, is also an accomplished saxophonist.</p><separator></separator><p>For more information or to enroll students visit <a href="http://universitypublicschools.asu.edu">http://universitypublicschools…;