Career Highlights While Serving in Senior International Leadership Roles at Gordon College.

30+ Years Academic leadership and international cooperation

28 National and international initiatives

Over 3 Million EUROs of European funding secured

Over 2 Million US Dollars International grants secured

Over 1 Million ISRAEILI SHEKELS of National funding secured

UNICEF • World Bank • Erasmus+ International consultancy and evaluation

Signature Initiatives

Highlighting key initiatives that define my commitment to institutional excellence and international educational reform.

Dnipro, Ukraine – Where Humanity Inspired Leadership

The foundation of my international work was not a European-funded project but a humanitarian partnership. Supported by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston, and working together with educators, families, and professionals in Boston, Haifa, and Dnipro, we developed a long-term programme of professional development for those working with children with severe disabilities. Over more than twenty years, this partnership demonstrated that trust, continuity, and mutual respect can transform educational opportunities and improve the lives of children and their families. It also shaped the leadership philosophy that has guided my subsequent international work: meaningful educational change begins with people and grows through enduring relationships.

Lasting Impact

20+ years of sustained partnership
Professional development for educators and para-professionals supporting children with severe disabilities
Boston–Haifa–Dnipro collaboration
Inclusive education for children with severe disabilities

DOIT – Transforming Teacher Education Across Europe and the South Caucasus

The TEMPUS IV DOIT project marked the transition from humanitarian cooperation to large-scale institutional reform. Working with a consortium of 21 universities and partner organisations from seven countries, including Israel, Georgia, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands and Estonia, we designed and implemented an innovative model for curriculum reform in teacher education. The project integrated multicultural education, faculty development, student engagement, and institutional capacity building into a coherent framework for change. Ninety-eight pilot courses and curriculum innovations were implemented, with many becoming embedded within university degree programmes, ensuring sustainability beyond the project's lifetime. The European Commission awarded DOIT a final evaluation of "Very Good," and many of its good practices became the foundation for subsequent Erasmus+ collaborations.

My leadership and contribution to the implementation of DOIT at Sokhumi State University were recognised through the award of an Honorary Doctorate and the dedication of a university auditorium in recognition of my contribution to educational development.

Lasting Impact

98 pilot curriculum course implementations
Courses integrated into degree programmes in several universities
Community engagement integrated into teacher education
European Commission evaluation: "Very Good"
Honorary Doctorate and university auditorium dedicated in recognition of my contribution

View DOIT resources

CURE – Strengthening Democracy through Higher Education

Building on the achievements of DOIT, the Erasmus+ CURE project broadened the focus to civic education, democratic participation, and community engagement. Working with 17 partner institutions across six countries (Israel, Georgia, Austria, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Estonia), five new academic courses were developed, nine Centres for Social and Civic Involvement were established, and more than 4,400 students participated in the new curricula. Faculty development, student leadership, and community partnerships were woven into the project design, enabling participating institutions to strengthen their role as active contributors to democratic society.

Lasting Impact

Five new academic courses implemented more than 110 times in Israel, Georgia, and several European partner institutions
Nine Centres for Social and Civic Involvement established, implementing more than 100 community projects
More than 4,400 students participated in the new curricula
132 faculty members participated in international professional development programmes promoting civic engagement

View CURE resources

UNICEF Georgia – Building Sustainable Educational Capacity

Working in partnership with UNICEF Georgia, Ilia State University, municipalities, and national stakeholders, we developed innovative approaches to inclusive education and early childhood development, including model family kindergartens serving underserved communities. The project strengthened collaboration between higher education institutions and local communities while contributing to the development of sustainable educational models for young children.

Lasting Impact

Model family kindergartens established in underserved areas of Georgia
Strengthened inclusive education practices
Strengthened university programmes in Early Childhood Education

World Bank, Armenia – Supporting National Educational Reform

Working with the World Bank's EU4Innovation programme, our multidisciplinary team from Gordon Academic College of Education, the Junior Achievement Association of Armenia, and Yerevan State University contributed to strengthening Armenia's newly established National Centre for Education Development and Innovation (NCEDI). Through a comprehensive needs assessment and national consultations, we developed recommendations to strengthen teacher professional development, institutional effectiveness, and national educational capacity.

Lasting Impact

National needs assessment for the NCEDI
Recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness and accessibility of the NCEDI
National recommendations for teacher professional development

Zambia – Strengthening Teacher Education

In Zambia, together with colleagues from the University of Zambia, we developed strategies to strengthen teacher education and professional development. The project culminated in the development of a National Teacher Education and Training Strategy for the Ministry of Education. The strategy was subsequently validated by the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders across the education sector.

Lasting Impact

National Teacher Education and Training Strategy validated by the Ministry of Education
Comprehensive national needs assessment completed, providing the evidence base for the strategy

A Common Thread

Across these diverse initiatives, one principle has remained constant: sustainable educational transformation depends on collaboration, local ownership, and institutional capacity. My role has been to bring partners together, help shape a shared vision, and support institutions in developing the knowledge, structures, and partnerships needed to sustain change.

Ultimately, I measure success not by the projects themselves, but by the institutions they strengthened, the partnerships they sustained, and the educational opportunities they continue to create.

"Successful projects end; successful partnerships create lasting change."