Mark A. Smylie

Mark A. Smylie is a professor of education emeritus in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago, and has also served as a visiting professor in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. He began his education career as a high school social studies teacher and later held roles such as department chair, director of graduate studies, and PhD program coordinator at UIC’s College of Education. Smylie holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from Vanderbilt University and MEd and BA degrees from Duke University.

Smylie’s research and writing focus on educational leadership, school improvement, and caring in educational practice, with particular attention to urban school contexts. He has authored and co-authored numerous books, journal articles, and book chapters, with work appearing in leading journals such as American Educational Research Journal, Educational Researcher, Educational Administration Quarterly, and Educational Policy. He is co-author of Caring in Crisis: Stories to Inspire and Guide School Leaders, as well as related volumes on caring school leadership, and has contributed to the development of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015 (PSEL) through the Council of Chief State School Officers.