News in Brief: Associate Professor Sara Dexter Wins 2023 UCEA Edwin M. Bridges Award

Sara Dexter, associate professor in the UVA School of Education and Human Development, has been named the 2023 Edwin M. Bridges award winner by the University Council for Education Administration. 

Dexter was nominated by Sara Rimm-Kaufman, professor and chair of the Department of Education Leadership, Foundations and Policy at UVA EHD. Rimm-Kaufman cited Dexter’s impact on the field through an impressive body of research on the intersection of educational technology and leadership, as well as her teaching and service. 

“Dr. Dexter brings a unique combination of creativity and rigor to her work,” wrote Rimm-Kaufman. “She has been remarkably productive and has engaged in extensive work to build a high quality, highly ranked program in Administration and Supervision here at the University of Virginia.” 

Several of Dexter’s colleagues and peers also contributed to her nomination.  

“[Dexter] is a preeminent researcher in the field of educational technology leadership – not only due to her academic work and publications, but also because of the tangible impact she achieves in educational practice,” said Ruben Vanderlinde, a professor at Ghent University in Belgium.  

The University Council for Education Administration is a consortium of higher education institutions committed to advancing the preparation and practice of educational leaders for the benefit of schools and children. The award, established in 2010, is named for Edwin M. Bridges, a former professor at Stanford University who was best known for applying problem-based learning to the training of educational leaders. 

“I’m very honored to be recognized by my peers for my contributions to the field of educational leadership preparation over my career,” Dexter said.