Diana Lys, Ed.D., assistant dean for educator preparation and accreditation at the UNC School of Education, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Her 3-year term begins March 1, 2026.
AACTE is a leading national organization dedicated to advancing educator preparation and promoting evidence-based practices in teaching and learning. As a board member, Lys will join a distinguished group of national education leaders to help shape the strategic direction of AACTE through fiduciary oversight, development of programmatic initiatives and policies, and governance.
“This is a fantastic recognition of Diana’s work to prepare the absolute best educators,” said Jill V. Hamm, dean of the School and William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education. “Our graduates leave Carolina well prepared, in part, because of Diana’s close work with faculty members and a range of stakeholders. The AACTE Board of Directors is lucky to gain her expertise.”
In the role, she will also serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession and for AACTE’s advocacy efforts at the state and national levels. Lys is the immediate past president of the North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
“I am so proud to serve on the AACTE Board of Directors,” Lys said. “For several years now, I’ve advocated for high-quality educator preparation in North Carolina. I’m still going to do that, but with a new perspective. It’s a special honor to represent the School and the state in work that ensures all future teachers are equipped to meet the needs of their students.”
At the UNC School of Education, Lys oversees accreditation processes and leads efforts to prepare a range of educators. Her leadership and commitment to continuous improvement have been instrumental in maintaining rigorous standards and fostering innovative approaches to educator preparation.
Lys’s apointment to the AACTE Board reflects her longstanding commitment to advancing the teaching profession and supporting educators at every stage of their careers.