Academic Innovation Expert Starts November 1

The Goddard College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Bernard Bull as Goddard College’s next president, the trustees announced on Monday.

Dr. Bull most recently served as Chief Innovation Officer, Vice Provost of Curriculum and Innovation, and Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin. There he led a University-wide effort to refine and expand low-residency and online learning opportunities for adult and post-traditional learners.

The new president is a widespread and active voice in the K-12 and higher education landscape regarding alternative and experimental education; emerging practices in grading, assessment, and credentials; self-directed learning; nurturing learner agency and ownership; and the intersection of education and digital culture.

He is the author of several books, including Missional Moonshots: Insight & Inspiration in Educational Innovation, What Really Matters: Ten Critical Issues in Contemporary Education, and Adventures in Self-Directed Learning.

“We are thrilled Bernard Bull will be Goddard’s next President. He is uniquely positioned to lead the College into an exciting new era. He brings particular skills to this work including administrative experience and scholarship on educational alternatives and the future of learner-centered, learner-driven, adult education. We are excited to welcome Bernard to this role at this time in the life of the college and in the national and international higher education community,” said Dr. Jill Mattuck Tarule, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

Bull has a Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University. He also has a Masters in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master of Arts from Concordia University-River Forest, and a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University-Wisconsin.

He will be moving to Plainfield, Vermont from Wisconsin and will begin his role as president on November 1, 2018.

“While considering whether or not to make the move to Goddard College, the most convincing insight was my discovery of so many incredible students and alumni who are truly living out Goddard’s mission, people who are passionately and persistently taking responsible and imaginative action in the world. Our world is in desperate need of people like this, and it is a joy to explore how we can invite more people into that compelling mission,” said Dr. Bull.

Goddard College is the pioneer of the low-residency degree format, wherein students are on campus for eight days each semester, then return home for 16 weeks of independent study in close collaboration with faculty. It is an ideal learning environment for working adults, especially since studies are learner-driven and individualized.

“Many in education talk about learner agency and there are certainly promising practices elsewhere, but what I love about Goddard College is that concepts like learner agency are woven in the fabric of the college, showing up in shared practices. For example, Goddard’s use of a narrative feedback system instead of the more common letter grade system is a wonderful practice that helps to promote a culture of learning over a culture of earning.

“In addition, learners at Goddard College have a central, respected, and nurtured voice in shaping what and how they learn. Such practices celebrate the voice of the learner, but they also parallel the very skills and dispositions that are necessary to thrive as positive, responsible, imaginative change agents in the world,” said Dr. Bull.

“Dr. Bernard Bull is the best choice to lead Goddard at this pivotal stage of development. We invite the entire community to join us in welcoming him as the new President. This is a new era in our forward movement, and he brings an informed and caring leadership history,” said Gloria J. Willingham-Toure’, Acting Chair of the Board of Trustees.