Title: 1) Education Consultant; 2) Strategist
Company: 1) Riley Institute; 2) Mott Foundation
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States
Terry K. Peterson, PhD, Education Consultant at Riley Institute and Strategist at Mott Foundation, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in education and educational policy.
With six decades of experience, Dr. Peterson has established a distinguished career in education, focusing on innovation, partnership building, and large-scale education reform. She currently serves in multiple roles, including as a senior fellow at the Riley Institute at Furman University since 2018, national education consultant and education advisor for the CS Mott Foundation since 2013, and education policy strategist for both the Riley Institute and Mott Foundation since 2011. Her prior experience includes serving as a senior fellow at the College of Charleston and the Riley Institute at Furman University from 2001 to 2024, chief counselor to the U.S. Secretary of Education from 1993 to 2001, and executive director of the SC Education-Partnership from 1987 to 1993. She began her career as a science teacher and served as chief counselor to both the United States Secretary of Education during the Clinton administration and the South Carolina Governor, each for eight years.
Dr. Peterson also dedicates his time as the national board chair and founding board member of the Afterschool Alliance since 2005, an advisory board member of Foundations Inc., and chairman of the White-Riley-Peterson Emerging Education Leaders Fellowship. Additionally, he contributes as an advisor to the Summer Learning Association, sits on the board of the Arts and Basic Curriculum Project in South Carolina, Engaging Creative Minds, and volunteers with Arts for Learning Maryland. His career also includes teaching chemistry in Portuguese with the Peace Corps in Brazil and serving on the board of the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance. Among other notable achievements, October 7 was declared “Terry Peterson Day” in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2023, recognizing his work in education reform.
Known as the “Godfather” or “Architect of the Afterschool Movement,” Dr. Peterson launched the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a nationwide program that today supports over 10,000 sites for afterschool and summer enrichment, helping millions of children improve academically and behaviorally. He has also been recruited as an expert witness in cases advocating for education funding for low-wealth communities, serving in trials in Nebraska, Georgia, and South Carolina. His accolades include an award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals for his role in passing the South Carolina Comprehensive Education Improvement Act and the distinguished Alumni Award from Medford High School.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Dr. Peterson has received numerous honors, including the Champion of Children Award from Foundations Inc. in 2016, the Arts Education Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Carolina Governor in 2015, and an award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals. He was also celebrated with a Breakfast of Champions award from the Afterschool Alliance for his role as an “Architect of the Afterschool Movement” and received the Alumni Award from Medford High School. He laid a solid educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1967, and a PhD in research and statistics in education from the University of South Carolina in 1978. He attributes his success to the dedicated colleagues he has worked with and remains focused on making a positive impact in education. Looking to the future, his current goal is to expand afterschool and summer learning opportunities, which he believes are vital resources gaining traction at local and national levels.
For more information, please visit:
National After School Association
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