Transforming into an Educational Leader

Dr. Daniel T. Cunniff is currently professor emeritus after being a full-time and lead faculty member in the National University Department of Educational Administration for eighteen years. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Northern Illinois University, and a PhD from Walden University in Educational Administration.

Prior to his work at National University, he has also been a teacher at all grade levels, a principal, and assistant superintendent, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and an acting superintendent of schools in the north county of San Diego. Dr. Cunniff has worked as an international business consultant and was an educational advisor to American Samoa’s Educational Television System. Educational technology and leadership have been a large part of Dr. Cunniff’s research agenda, and he has published and presented internationally. He is the senior editor of the textbook, Innovative Educational Leadership Through the Cycle of Change. His professional activities have included being Treasurer for the California Association of Professors of Educational Administration and active membership on the CAPEA Executive Board for the past nine years. He is also the recipient of National University’s Professoriate Award from the President of the University.

Donna Elder, Ed.D. is currently an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the Sanford College of Education at National University. She is also the Past President of the International Association of University Affiliated Schools. She brings more than thirty eight years of experience as a public and  independent school teacher, coordinator, principal and superintendent of schools for three school districts in California. Additionally, she served as Director of the UCLA Laboratory School Program with specific responsibility for the fund development aspect of the program. Dr. Elder received her Bachelor’s Degree from Washington State University, Master’s from Texas A&M University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of La Verne.

Wayne Padover, Ph.D. is a Professor at National University in La Jolla, California. He taught and served as an administrator at pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school levels. His roles have been general education teacher, special education teacher, assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent and superintendent of schools at three school districts for a total of twenty years. He has served urban, suburban and rural school communities. In addition, he was a consultant to the California Department of Education and Past-President of the California Association of Professors of Education Administration. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National School Foundation Association and the California Consortium of Educational Foundations. Dr. Padover received his Bachelor’s Degree from the New York State University at Oneonta, Master’s Degrees from the University of Michigan
and San Jose State University as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon.

Judith R. Cunniff, B.S., MPA is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from National University. She has held management positions in major food corporations, and worked as a paralegal to the State of Washington’s District Attorney. Judith has had a diverse career in both business and education, working as a dietitian, buyer/merchandiser for a major grocery food chain, supervisor, teacher, copywriter, paralegal, notary public, real estate agent, restaurant owner, a co-innkeeper for a bed and breakfast/ranch and an administrative assistant at K–12 and university levels as well as president of her homeowner’s association. Ms. Cunniff is the author of “The Crisis of Methamphetamine and its Management” published in the American Journal of Business Education 2008. Her research agenda has focused on criminal justice, drug addiction, and business
approaches to educational administration.