Educational leadership faculty member wins national award

Brian Brent named a distinguished fellow by the National Education Academy

Brian Brent, Earl B. Taylor Professor at the Warner School of Education and Human Development, has been named a 2022 Distinguished Research and Practice Fellow recipient by the National Education Finance Academy (NEFA). He was recognized and received the award at the annual NEFA Conference during the first week of April. 

The honor, which goes to people who have demonstrated leadership in both research and practice in the field of education finance, explicitly recognizes Brent’s years of work around education finance issues. Along with teaching in the Warner School’s educational leadership program, addressing administrative decision-making and fiscal policy issues in schools and universities, Brent brings an education finance background to his research and practice.

“All of us in the educational leadership department and at the Warner School congratulate Dr. Brent on this well-deserved recognition,” says Andrea Cutt, interim co-chair of the educational leadership. “We are so fortunate to have him as part of our Warner team. We appreciate all that he contributes to research and practice in the field while supporting the success of our students, faculty and Warner community. Dr. Brent lifts everyone around him up as he strives to make a difference.”

Brent was presented with the University of Rochester’s G. Graydon Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000 and the William H. Riker Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching in 2021.

His research focuses on the micro-level resource allocation practices, local revenues and the cost-effective use of education dollars. He has published on these topics in many forums during his career.

Brent currently serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Education Finance, Education and Urban Society, and Research in Rural Education. He has also served on the editorial boards of Leadership and Policy in Schools, from 1999 to 2020, and School Business Affairs, from 2002 to 2009 and from 2014 to 2021. Brent has served as a consultant to multiple school districts and educational institutions on school finance issues.

Brent is the second Warner School faculty member to receive the award. Karen DeAngelis, an associate professor in educational leadership, was named a 2021 NEFA distinguished fellow.