Our Team
GVSU CSO Team Directory
First Name
Sarah-Kate
Last Name
LaVan
Email
lavans@gvsu.edu
Title
Deputy Director for School Performance and Innovation
Office Phone
616-331-2240
About
Sarah-Kate LaVan joined the CSO in 2024 as the Deputy Director of School Support and Innovation. Prior to joining GVSU, she accumulated more than 20 years of leadership experience across K-12, university, and state education agency settings, most recently serving as the State Director for Educator Workforce at the Michigan Department of Education. In her role she led state-wide outreach and feedback to inform policy creation. She has also previously served as an associate professor at Temple University in Philadelphia and a K-12 science teacher in Pennsylvania. She has an extensive research and publication background, and frequently serves as a project and grant advisor to further encourage lifelong learning and educator development.
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Education - University of Pennsylvania
- M.S. in Chemical Education - University of Pennsylvania
- M.S. in Education - University of Miami
- B.S. in Biology - Bucknell University