Dr. Richard A. Navarro

Dr. Richard A. Navarro is Professor of Education at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona since 1997.  Recently, he served as Chief of Party of the USAID Project for Productivity through Higher Education in El Salvador (2014-2016).  His research focuses on higher education development in newly emerging economies, and small states. In 2011 he was a Fulbright Research Scholar in the Republic of Maldives.  In 2009, Dr. Navarro served as a senior evaluation consultant to USAID-Indonesia, evaluating a national teacher quality project.  He has also advised on UNICEF projects in Indonesia.  In 2005 and 2006, Dr. Navarro served as a Senior Advisor and Project Manager of the Teacher Education Program for the Afghanistan Ministry of Education. He designed and implemented a national teacher in-service training program in collaboration with Afghan colleagues.  In 2003 and 2004 Dr. Navarro was Chief of Education, UNICEF-Afghanistan.  In this capacity, he was responsible for the Back to School Campaign, revising the primary curriculum, printing textbooks, distributing school supplies and classroom tents throughout the country, developing in-service programs for teachers and administrators, conducting policy research and advising the Minister of Education in education policy.  He also conducted a national evaluation of basic education in the country, and collaborated with several NGO’s in building schools and providing educational services.

Dr. Navarro is a past member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Board of Directors (1999-2003).  He was appointed by the Governor of California to a three-year term as Chair of the California State Commission for Technology in Learning.  Prior to joining UNICEF, Dr. Navarro was Dean of the College of Education and Integrative Studies, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona since 1997.  He has been on the faculty of Michigan State University, and a Fellow at Stanford University and the University of Houston.  He is the Founding Director of the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University.  Dr. Navarro continues to consult for many prestigious organizations including, UNESCO, UNICEF, The World Bank, USAID, The Asia Foundation, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and several universities and government agencies nationally and internationally.  His Ph.D. in International Development Education is from Stanford University.