Markeshia Ricks photo
Karen DuBois-Walton: Newly appointed to the state Board of Ed.
The top-decision-maker on public housing in New Haven, Karen DuBois-Walton, will now help make decisions for the state education system as well.
In a Tuesday afternoon email press release, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he has appointed DuBois-Walton, who is the executive director of Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven (HANH), to serve on the state’s Board of Education.
“Connecticut schools rightly have a reputation for being among the best in the nation, and maintaining that standing is key to attracting new businesses that are going to grow high-quality, high-paying jobs in our state because, quite frankly, they need the workers who are prepared with the skills that match the needs of 21st century jobs,” Lamont is quoted as saying in the release, which can be read in full here.
“My administration is determined to reform the way all of our education and workforce development organizations operate – our high schools, colleges, and businesses all need to be at the table and work collaboratively so that our teachers know what skills to teach, and our students know what jobs will be awaiting them.
DuBois-Walton is one of four new appointments to the state Board of Education, which consists of 14 members: 10 voting members who serve staggered four-year terms, two nonvoting high school student members, the president of the state college system, and the chair of the state Technical Education and Career System board.
The press release identifies DuBois-Walton as the current executive director of the city’s housing authority, the president of the Glendower Group, which is the associated development arm of the housing authority, and the president of 360 Management Group, which is the associated property management affiliate of the housing authority.
DuBois-Walton previously served as chief operating officer for the city housing authority. Before that, she served as chief of staff and as chief administrative officer under former Mayor John DeStefano, Jr.
She is a trained clinical psychologist with a BA from Yale and a MA and Ph.D. from Boston University.
