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College of Education Standout Receives Distinguished Alumni Award

College of Education Alumni Profile

by ERICA MASINI

Lori Bein knew she belonged in school administration from a young age. In the early 1990s, Roosevelt University offered scholarships to women who showed an aptitude and passion for leadership positions in schools. Bein jumped at the opportunity and received her master’s degree in educational leadership in 1995. And she delivered.

As the Arlington Heights School District 25 superintendent, Bein continues to be a leader in schools across Chicago. In recognition of her outstanding career achievements, Bein received Roosevelt’s College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award.

“Lori is very deserving of this award,” said Tom Philion, dean of the College of Education (COE). “She embodies the values of the University around inclusion, as she was one of the few female principals at a time when there weren’t many.”

Bein, along with alumni from each of Roosevelt’s five colleges, was recognized by President Ali Malekzadeh, college deans and faculty on April 4 in the Auditorium Building’s Sullivan Room. The award recognized outstanding alumni in each college.

“It was a very special and personalized day, which is very much in line with how I see Roosevelt,” Bein said. “From my very first class in my graduate program, I felt welcomed and greeted by my professors. They took a personal interest in me and my colleagues and went the extra mile. I carry the philosophy of personalization with me now because that’s what I was exposed to at Roosevelt.”

“I carry the philosophy of personalization with me now because that’s what I was exposed to at Roosevelt.”

– Lori Bein
MA, ‘95

Bein is in her fourth year as superintendent for District 25, a preschool-to-eighth grade school district serving approximately 5,500 students at nine schools. She’s worked with her team to build five school additions to address growing enrollment and is currently embarking on a campaign to reinforce teacher recognition. Before joining District 25, Bein was superintendent of Roselle Elementary District 12, served as principal and assistant superintendent in Skokie Elementary District 69, and began her career as a teacher and assistant principal at the middle school level in Palatine Elementary District 15.

Bein was instrumental in the development and support of the College of Education’s new Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership, a graduate program focused on training school principals. During the early phases of the program’s creation in 2013, Philion and COE officials contacted Bein, who volunteered her district for COE steering committee meetings. She currently serves as a member of the COE Advisory Board.

“I have a renewed respect and energy for being connected to Roosevelt,” Bein said. “We have a teacher and school leader shortage, and as I’ve met candidates in the instructional leadership program I’ve been truly impressed with the experiences they’re getting at Roosevelt. It’s a top-quality program, and I’m excited to deepen my relationship with the future leaders of education.”

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