Staff

Head Shot ++

Khalique Rogers

As of April 1, 2023, Khalique Rogers named new co director of 35-year-old Center for School Change

Rogers is a graduate of Gordon Parks High School, St Paul College, and has been asked to provide featured presentations at conferences not only in Minnesota, but also in other states.  Rogers has co-authored columns in the Star Tribune and MinnPost.  He’s been asked to testify a number of time at Minnesota legislative committees focused on helping reduce the number of youth nd family experiencing homelessness. He personalized experience homelessness as a youngster. He served as the leader of a successful effort convert a trash filled vacant lot in St Paul into a beautiful playground.  Rogers has a deep belief in the importance of having young people be present and have opportunities to help shape policy.

 

Testifying with Rep Matt Norris, Minnesota House

Joe Nathan commented:  in addition to his academic accomplishments, I think Khalique Rogers deserves a doctorate in “Life Experience.”  He’s experienced and overcome homelessness, attended district, charter, on-line and alternative public schools, became the first in his high school to take a Post-Secondary Options course, and skillfully worked with legislators.  He’s a widely sought out speaker not only in Minnesota but at several national conferences.  He’s compassionate, committed, humble and hugely accomplished.

Rogers commented:  “It’s a dream come true to be named director of an organization that fits all my values – an organization committed to using research to make a real difference in the lives of young people, families, educators and their communities.”

Nathan and Rogers have co-mentored each other for the last 10 years.

 

Rogers and Nathan will serve as co-director for approximately the next six months. At the end of that time, Rogers will become the sole CSC director and Nathan will become a senior fellow.

 

Reactions to this announcement include:  

Khalique and Joe have been key partners in much of the work I’ve done with and for youth in recent years. Khalique is one of the up-and-coming leaders in our community, and I can’t wait to continue our productive collaboration in his new role guiding the Center for School Change

Rep Matt Norris, Minnesota House of Representatives

This leadership transition is a powerful example of passing the baton at the right time, for the right reasons and to the right person.  It is rare to meet someone who skillfully combines credibility, cultural fluency and outside the box thinking. I recognized these traits in Khalique from the moment I met him and am 100% confident he will build on the Center for School Change’s legacy.  Thank you, Joe, and Khalique. This is a wonderful gift to the field.

Wokie Weah, Founding Exec Director, Youthprise President/CEO, Wokie Weah LLC

For decades the Center for School Change has focused on identifying, building support for, and implementing research-based solutions for critical problems in education.  Khalique Rogers is perfectly suited for the Center’s mission – and for these times. 

George Latimer, former Mayor of St Paul, chair of CSC’s Advisory Committee

Khalique Rogers is a transformational leader who catalyzes change, creates community, and can’t be stopped. With Khalique at the helm, I know the Center for School Change will continue its collaborative approach to change. Our students and community will benefit from his dynamic and thoughtful approach.

Deidra Peaslee, president, St Paul College.

“I have no doubt that Khalique Rogers will be an incredible asset for the Center for School Change.  His leadership and voice will drive improvements at the local, state, and federal level.”

Jonah Martinez, People for PSEO Board president

 

The “Center for School Change” have been at the forefront of this movement with creative solutions to Minnesota and US education’s biggest challenges.  Education stake holders and students need our help more than ever. It’s going to take bold leadership and community support to make change.  After more than 30 years of success, the torch is being passed to one of the most dynamic community advocates I know. I’m thrilled to see Khalique Rogers take the Executive Director role at CSC. Over the last decade his work and impact in community has changed the landscape of Minnesota. I’m excited more than ever to see him create a sustainable legacy at the center for school change in his new role.

Dario Otero, CEO, Youth Lens 360 LLC

As founder and executive director of the American Indian Policy Center, as well as Mn Department of Corrections Ombudsman, I spent years studying and practicing leadership
We’re at a critical point as a nation. The choices we make today as educators, parents, businesspeople, students, and policymakers will determine the future we create for the next generation. Rogers is a remarkable breath of fresh air, as CSC has been for 30 years.

John Poupart, Founder and Former Executive Director, American Indian Policy Center

 

Khalique Rogers has a proven track record of helping communities create shared visions and turning those visions into action to create positive change. I can’t think of a more capable leader to shepherd the Center for School Change into its next chapter, providing our students and future community leaders with the support, resources, tools, and perspective they’ll need to help shape our collective future.

Garrio Harrison, Fractional Chief Revenue Officer, Clario, Inc.

The Center for School Change has been a trailblazer – directly impact many peoples’ lives, always active and focused on what will help students.  Who better to take over than Khalique Rogers – who has had a beautiful and powerful moment – and a great example of intergenerational mentoring. I’m excited to see how Khalique will use this opportunity to continue making a big difference.

Jose Perez, community activist, treasurer/secretary of Bridgemakers

Joe Nathan has put a lot of energy into CSC, and with Khalique’s energy & style, it can develop into even greater impact. This an inspiring development for all who are in pursuit of equitable educational access in Minnesota and across the nation.  As a graduate of Gordon Parks High School, Khalique continues to exemplify the legacy of our namesake, with youth-centered social change efforts, style, and grace.

Paul Creager, Curriculum Coordinator, Gordon Parks High School, St Paul Public Schools

 

Khalique has spent the past decade engaging with cross sector industry leaders to shape policy and outcomes for youth. In the past three years alone, he has partnered with private, public, and philanthropic partners to deliver local, regional, and state-wide outcomes for youth homeless, youth workforce innovation, and recreational alternatives violence.

 

Jeffrey Aguy, Founder and CEO, 2043 SBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Nathan
Joe Nathan, Director – Center for School Change

 Joe Nathan, Co-Director

joe@centerforschoolchange.org

Mobile (612) 309-6571

Joe Nathan has been an inner city public school aide, teacher and administrator.  He was selected to coordinate a National Governors Association project, Time for Results: the Governors 1991 Report on Education. More than 30 state legislatures and several Congressional Committees have asked him to testify on various education issues.  Student, parent and professional groups have given him awards for his work. Nathan has helped write several major laws, including Post Secondary Enrollment Options and the nation’s first charter public school law. He served as a local PTA president in St. Paul, and a member of the Minnesota State PTA board. He has written two books named “must read” by the American School Board journal, along with a third, and edited a fourth. More than 30 newspapers including Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Atlanta Constitution and Detroit News have published guest columns he wrote. Nathan has written proposals that generated more than $33 million from a variety of national, regional and local foundations, government agencies and companies.

Between 1989 and 2004 he wrote a weekly column carried by 3 of Minnesota’s 4 largest daily papers. He now writes a twice-a-month column carried regularly by about 20 suburban and rural Minnesota newspapers. The column also has appeared on local and national websites. Nathan has appeared on more than 400 television and radio programs including “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” McNeil/Lehrer News Hour” and “All Things Considered.” He earned a B.A. from Carleton, MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota. Nathan has been married for 46 years to a retired St. Paul Public School teacher. The Nathan’s 3 children all attended and graduated from St. Paul Public Schools.  Their five grand-daughters also attend St Paul Public Schools.

 

For More Learning and Better Mental, Build on Students’ Strengths; column in St Paul Pioneer Press co-authored with Jose Perez

Jose Perez, Senior Consultant

JRPMN04@gmail.com

Perez is the son of a woman who came to the United States from Guatemala at age 17, bringing only the clothes on her back.  He’s a board member of Bridgemakers, an artist and activist.  Perez is a 2019 graduate of the High School for Recording Arts.  While at HSRA, he  became the Twin Cities’ youngest Chipotle manager and earned State of Minnesota Food Safety and Personal Care Assistant  certifications. In 2021, St. Paul’s City Council  appointed him to the Reparations Advisory Committee.  He’s also been appointed as the youngest member of Ramsey County’s Transforming Systems Together Initiative.  Perez has presented at several national conferences.  He is working with CSC on several projects, including a column published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press during September, 2022, “Want More learning and better mental health?  Build on students strengths.”  Perez is a living example of what someone who has dyslexia and is an English Language Learner can accomplish via hard work, persistence and attendance at a public school that seeks to build on students’ strengths while helping students develop other skills and expand their knowledge.

Perez currently is leading a Bridgemaker’s initiative to significantly reduce Minnesota’s school to prison pipeline.

 

 

Aaliyah Hodge- Senior Consultant Center for School Change

 

Aaliyah Hodge, Senior Consultant

aaliyahjhodge@gmail.com

Mobile (612) 298-6009

Aaliyah Hodge is a former Post Secondary Enrollment Options student who used the law to help her earn a Bachelor’s degree at age 19, and then a Masters Degree at age 21.   She currently is Charter Authorizing Program Coordinator at the University of St. Thomas. Previously Aaliyah served as the Compliance Director for the Harvest Network of Schools.  She has also spent time in the classroom as a 6th grade paraprofessional.  She is a member of the Coalition of Public Independent Charter School’s advisory council, Pillsbury United Community’s Charter advisory council, as well as the current President of People for PSEO.  Aaliyah has a Masters in Social Policy and Community and Economic Development from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.  And in her free time, Aaliyah enjoys spending time with friends, traveling and baking