Ayana Allen-Handy Begins New Dean Appointment at Hofstra University

Ayana Allen-Handy is preparing for her new dean appointment at Hofstra University’s School of Education, starting Jan. 1, 2026. She departs Drexel University after a decade of teaching, mentoring, and leading. Her roles there included professor of Urban Education and chair of the Department of Policy,

Organization and Leadership.

During her time at Drexel, she founded the Justice-oriented Youth (JoY) Education Lab. The lab focuses on educational, racial, and social justice. Some members of the JoY Lab, including graduate and postdoctoral students, will join her at Hofstra to continue grant-supported work.
Allen-Handy shared that she values strong community connections. After spending most of her life in the Philadelphia region, she looks forward to forming new partnerships at Hofstra. She hopes these relationships will support meaningful change within the School of Education and the wider community.

Momentum at Hofstra’s School of Education

Hofstra’s School of Education enters this transition with strong recognition. The school ranked No. 207 (tie) on the 2025 Best Education Schools list from U.S. News & World Report. It also earned accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, reflecting three years of detailed data review.
For the past year, the school operated under interim leadership as part of “Hofstra 100,” a strategic plan focused on innovation, community engagement, and academic excellence. Allen-Handy hopes to advance recruitment and expand nontraditional pathways into teaching.
Students appreciate Hofstra’s extensive clinical hours but want clearer communication about research opportunities. Allen-Handy plans to begin her tenure with a human-centered approach. She aims to understand local needs, explore issues of educational equity, and work with partners across Long Island to strengthen opportunities for current and future educators.