Dr. Viola E.  Florez holds the title of Emeritus Dean & Professor in the College of Education at the University of New Mexico.  She has held various executive leadership positions at the University of New Mexico and has served as New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for Higher Education.  Her national presence with educational renewal policy efforts have contributed to building strong university-school partnerships to prepare educators, especially the preparation of novice educators.   She has published extensively addressing teacher development, school-university partnerships, leadership,  and educational policy.