Sheley Named to Head Academic Development Institute

[June 21, 2017]  LINCOLN -  At its annual business meeting Tuesday, the board of directors of the Academic Development Institute (ADI) named Pamela S. Sheley as President and Executive Director, replacing Sam Redding who has served in that position since ADI’s formation in Lincoln in 1984.

Dr. Allison Layland, ADI’s board chairperson, made the announcement following the board’s action, saying that “Pam Sheley has been with ADI for 18 years, most recently as its Executive Vice President. She has served with great distinction and is known nationally for her leadership in education and her stellar representation of our organization.

"Our board members are themselves distinguished educators, from eight states from coast to coast, and they unanimously and enthusiastically elevated Pam to the top spot at ADI. We are extremely proud of Pam, and we are eager to work with her at the helm.”

Pamela Sheley attended Lincoln schools, graduated from MacMurray College, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in Springfield. She and her husband, Doug Sheley, have raised three children in Lincoln and are now the grandparents of two-year old Addison Sheley.

ADI is headquartered in Lincoln and manages education projects across the country, also maintaining an office in East St. Louis that guides urban programs and work with several American Indian tribes.

In Logan County, ADI administers the Liftoff scholarship and youth development program supported by The Woods Foundation (Robert J. and Joan Jarrett Woods, benefactors).

The Lincoln Parents’ Center is also a local ADI program, reaching families with children from birth to age three. ADI publishes a scholarly journal, consults with state education agencies, and trains school leaders and teachers.

The ADI board appointed J. Mark Williams to the position of corporate Vice President and approved other staff roles, including Stephanie Benedict and Bernadette Anderson as the organization’s two program directors.

Becky Beggs was renewed in her role as Coordinator of the Lincoln Parents’ Center and Becky Kunken as the Liftoff Coordinator.

Dr. Redding will remain with ADI as Chief Learning Scientist.

For more than 20 years, ADI has maintained an affiliation with Temple University in Philadelphia, and is also an organizational partner with California-based WestEd, Maryland-based Westat, and PLS 3rd Learning in New York. Dr. Layland reported that the board approved the annual budget and discussed progress with the organization’s various projects.

[Sam Redding]