Institutional Governance, Administration, and Support
Each of Relay’s programs has the support of Relay’s national administrative office. Relay is governed by: the board of trustees, who are responsible for oversight of the institution; the president, who is responsible for the overall health and direction of the institution; and the executive team, who are responsible for academics, accreditation, assessment, student services, and faculty; human resources, operations, and finances of the institution; external affairs and development; institutional projects and culture; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and legal affairs. View our leadership team here.
Board of Trustees
Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is a single 501(c)(3) nonprofit with one Board of Trustees as its governing body. The members of the Board of Trustees bring to the governance of Relay rich and diverse experiences in a wealth of areas, including leading in prominent positions at other institutions of higher education; training and supporting both novice and veteran teachers; closing the opportunity gap for students in historically marginalized communities in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and the country; leading complex organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit; and fundraising. The members of the Board of Trustees, each experienced and accomplished in their individual fields, possess the skills necessary to effectively oversee a leading graduate school of education.
The Board is comprised of six standing committees:
- Executive Committee: The Executive Committee acts in place of the Board between Board meetings, as delegated by the Board and prescribed in the By-Laws and consistent with the law, except that it may not appoint or remove Trustees or Officers and may not amend, repeal, or modify the By-Laws or charter.
- Committee on Trustees: The Committee on Trustees is responsible for the overall composition of the Board of Trustees and for monitoring the implementation of the approved policies and procedures as the Board conducts its business.
- Finance Committee: The Finance Committee is responsible for determining and recommending the most advantageous allocation of financial resources, and for overseeing general business operations, including the annual budget process and budgets, financial policies and procedures, internal audit practices, tuition and fee determinations, long-range financial planning, and application of restricted funds.
- Audit and Compensation Committee: The Audit and Compensation Committee recommends independent auditors for appointment by the Board of Trustees, and reviews with the auditors: (a) the scope of the audit; (b) the audited financial statements and reports of the auditors; (c) the adequacy of the internal accounting procedures and records; and (d) the quality and adequacy of the accounting staff.
- Academic and Student Affairs Committee: The Academic and Student Affairs Committee is responsible for the oversight of the professional/academic programs, practices, and policies of the Graduate School, including academic standards and faculty appointments, student policies, and student life.
- External Affairs Committee: The External Affairs Committee is responsible for providing guidance on marketing, communications, and fundraising strategies, and helping to make connections to prospective partners and/or donors.
The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly. At these meetings, Relay’s President and other members of the executive team bring all relevant issues and updates to the Board. The full Board and its committees discuss issues as appropriate. View our Board members here.
Executive Team and Senior Leaders
The Board of Trustees empowers members of Relay’s Executive Team with the daily operation and functioning of academic programs. Relay’s Executive Team all have expertise in their respective fields, and all have a proven track record of success and the ability to problem solve.
- President (Chief Executive): The President, Dr. Mayme Hostetter, is charged by the board with responsibility for institutional activities and the overall health and direction of the institution.
- Provost, Teacher Preparation: In her role as Provost, Teacher Preparation, Dr. Maya Weatherton leads Relay and the Teacher Prep team to key institutional milestones, maintaining outstanding institutional performance and recognition, faculty performance, and staff experience. Dr. Weatherton graduated from Paul Quinn College, earned her Masters in Educational Administration from Texas Southern University, and is part of the prestigious Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program. Dr. Weatherton recently completed her PhD in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies (HELPS).
- Provost, Professional Education: In her role as Provost, Professional Education, Dr. Shavonne Gibson leads the Professional Education team at Relay. Dr. Gibson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Rochester, a master’s degree in Secondary Education-Social Studies from Long Island University, second master’s degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University, and her doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University.
- Chief People, Finance, and Operating Officer: Jessica Smith is Relay’s first Chief People Officer. She is a culture and change leader who believes in creating radical spaces of belonging. Jessica is also serving as Relay’s interim Chief Finance and Operating Officer (CFOO) while a search for a permanent replacement is ongoing. As the interim CFOO, Jessica leads the finance and technology teams to set the vision for financial sustainability and technology infrastructure at Relay. Jessica earned a B.A. from the University of Miami, and a J.D. from Emory University.
- Chief Strategy Officer: As Chief Strategy Officer, Anne McCarley is responsible for the institution’s strategy and revenue through the leadership of teams charged with strategic partnerships, innovation, development, policy, marketing, and communications. McCarley earned an M.A. in English from Northwestern University and a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame.
- Chief Equity Officer: Akilah Rosado is an anti-racist practitioner and educator who approaches interrupting systems of oppression through strategic design and implementation. Rosado was appointed as Chief Equity Officer at Relay Graduate School of Education, an inaugural role at Relay. Akilah is currently a PhD candidate in Urban and Public Policy at Milano, at the New School. Akilah received her undergraduate degree from SUNY Purchase and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Milano, at the New School.