The mission of Education Systems Center (EdSystems) has always been to build robust, equitable ecosystems that empower every student to navigate a seamless transition from education to a meaningful career. To further that work, EdSystems is pleased to announce that Dr. Lázaro López is joining the team this summer as the inaugural Senior Director of Pathways.
Dr. López is a nationally recognized leader in career-connected learning, most recently serving as Interim Superintendent and Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at High School District 214. His visionary leadership transformed D214 into a national model for career pathways, providing thousands of students with access to rigorous academics paired with real-world professional experiences.
Beyond his impact at the district level, Dr. López has been a driving force for educational policy in Illinois. He was appointed chairperson of the Illinois Community College Board by two governors, served on the Commission on Workforce Equity and Access, and led the Illinois Workforce Board’s Task Force on Youth Apprenticeships. To inform national education policy, Dr. López’s expertise has been sought out by the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., where he has contributed to critical dialogues on human capital and workforce development. He has also provided expert testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives, advocating for the intersection of technology and student preparation. Dr. López was a driving force behind the national AASA “Redefining Ready!” campaign, which challenged traditional metrics of student achievement in favor of holistic indicators of college and career readiness. He serves on the National Commission on Purposeful Pathways, working to define the systemic conditions necessary for student success. He has been featured in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Profiles of Change, the Achieving Tomorrow Series, Roadtrip Nation on PBS, and the Education Week “Leader to Learn From” series for his work scaling 40 different career pathways, making student discovery a reality.
“Dr. López has been a long-time partner and a relentless advocate for students,” says Dr. Kyle Westbrook, Executive Director at EdSystems. “His expertise in bridging the gap between K-12, postsecondary institutions, and industry partners will be instrumental as we scale our impact and ensure that a student’s zip code does not determine their destiny.”
His career, which began with service as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and included a tenure as the 2013 Illinois Principal of the Year, is a testament to the power of diverse, non-linear pathways. Dr. López earned a master’s in educational leadership and administration from Roosevelt University and an Ed.D. in education leadership and administration from Aurora University.
The senior director of pathways role is a new position at EdSystems, created to meet the growing demand for scalable, high-quality college and career pathways across the state and country. In this role, Dr. López will oversee EdSystems’ expanding portfolio of college and career pathways and work-based learning initiatives, working with school districts, community colleges, and their regional partners as well as with state agencies and national organizations.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. López to the EdSystems team! We look forward to the innovation and passion he brings to our collective work of shaping the future of the Illinois workforce.
