Updated  Monday, November 29, 2004
Reimers Receives Tenure
Dean Hails Professor's Commitment to International Education
By Andrew K. Mandel
APPIAN STAFF WRITER

In 1988, a student named Fernando handed in his doctoral thesis on the impact of external debt on Latin American education.

Sixteen years later, and now an expert on school reform in developing countries, Fernando Reimers has become Ford Foundation Professor, a senior faculty position at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE).

"In his years at HGSE, Fernando has proven himself to be a model member of our faculty as well as a distinguished voice for more effective and equitable education policies around the world," wrote HGSE Dean Ellen Condliffe Lagemann in an e-mail message announcing the news to students, faculty and staff this month.  "I expect that the enhanced visibility these new appointments will bring will boost Fernando to even greater prominence, nationally and internationally, and extend his reach as a scholar, teacher, government advisor, and sage voice in support of educational opportunity for all."

Both co-director of the International Education Policy Program since its inception and a frequent moderator of campus forums, the Venezuela native has assumed a strong leadership presence on campus in recent years, a profile only to grow as the head of a new Office of International Education.

"I believe the times we are living in are full of opportunities and of dangers or increasing global conflict and instability," Reimers told The Appian.  "I believe schools everywhere should do more to help educate students to think deeply about complex problems and to better understand the growing interdependency that globalization has created among nations. I believe Harvard as an institution is committed to becoming itself more international and to seeking opportunities to be of the greatest possible service to the largest possible number of people around the world."

Reimers said he sees that commitment translating into a high caliber of students graduating from HGSE each year. On a recent trip to Washington, DC, Reimers participated in a retreat with a number of alumni from the International Education Policy program and learned of the projects they are leading in developing countries.

"These are impressively talented and committed students, who are giving much of themselves and taking on many risks, to contribute to establish the foundations for peace at a very difficult time in the world," he said.

With no rest for the weary -- he has already helped to bring major education officials from Mexico to campus this semester -- Reimers is planning an upcoming conference on the U.S. and Mexico with HGSE colleague Gary Orfield, as well as hosting the El Salvadorian Presidential Commission for Education Reform. 

Even when he's not consulting, traveling or teaching courses on education policy in developing countries, he seems to be talking shop.  When he spends time with his two young sons, Tomas and Pablo, conversations often float to their experiences in public school.  

It's a discussion that Reimers relishes.  Staying connected, he said, is "a way to learn how they see the world and their needs and how schools can best help prepare them for what will be challenging times ahead."