Welcoming Dr. Lya Snell

The Charles A. Dana Center is thrilled to announce that Dr. Lya Snell is joining the Center as the new Director of Building Capacity for Innovation. With over 25 years of experience in education and a trailblazing career in mathematics and STEM leadership, Dr. Snell brings unparalleled expertise, passion, and a commitment to transforming education.

In this new role, Dr. Snell will lead efforts to ensure that educators and students alike have the tools and resources needed to succeed. Dr. Snell will oversee the Center’s professional learning, curriculum innovation, implementation innovation, and early learning work.

“At the Dana Center, we transform education systems so every learner has access to opportunities and resources to thrive in a data-rich world,” said Dr. Afi Wiggins, Dana Center managing director. “Dr. Snell’s proven leadership in systems change and student-centered design will accelerate our efforts to transform education and empower students and educators nationwide.”

Dr. Snell’s journey in education began at Alabama State University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics. Her academic pursuits continued with an Ed.S. in General Administration from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mercer University. This strong foundation has fueled her career, which has been marked by groundbreaking achievements in policy development, curriculum innovation, and professional learning.

As an Education Program Manager with the Georgia Department of Education, Dr. Snell supervised teams in STEM/STEAM, computer science, and mathematics. Among her many accomplishments, she led the development of Georgia’s K–12 Mathematics Standards in 2021 and spearheaded the modernization of mathematics pathways in 2023. These initiatives resulted in historic increases in student performance on state assessments and the state accountability system, showcasing her ability to drive meaningful change on a large scale.

Dr. Snell’s influence extends beyond Georgia. She has co-written the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) publication, High School Mathematics: Reimagined, Revitalized, and Relevant, and serves on numerous national and state committees focused on improving mathematics and STEM education. Her work emphasizes phenomenon-based teaching and learning, integrating mathematics with science, engineering, technology, computer science, and literacy to make learning relevant and engaging for students.

Her dedication to education has not gone unnoticed. In March 2024, she was recognized as a leader in education by Game Changers Magazine. 

We are honored to welcome Dr. Lya Snell to the Dana Center and look forward to the transformative impact she will undoubtedly make.