Gene Olsen
Director of College, Career, and Persistence at KIPP New Orleans | Executive Leader in Education | Special Education & Student Services Expert
- Role
- Director of College & Persistence at KIPP Foundation
- Location
- New Orleans, LA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Gene Olsen
I am a visionary educational leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to building innovative, community-centered pathways for student success. My career is defined by a commitment to bridging the gap between potential and opportunity—whether through district-level special education oversight or my current focus on college persistence and career readiness.Currently, as the Director of College, Career, and Persistence at KIPP New Orleans, I lead the KIPP Forward initiative. My work centers on dismantling the barriers to postsecondary success by leveraging data-driven advising, optimizing college \"match\" strategies, and fostering long-term alumni persistence.Core Areas of Expertise:Strategic Leadership: Managing multi-million dollar grants (Title I, II, and district-wide academic transitions.Special Education & Advocacy: Decades of experience in IDEA compliance, behavioral remediation, and inclusive program development.Culture: Spearheading organizational equity efforts and building collaborative staff environments.Policy & Governance: Serving on state-level task forces and board committees to shape educational standards.I believe in the power of \"dynamic, community-centered vision.\" I am always looking to connect with fellow leaders, educators, and innovators who are passionate about scaling impact and creating more equitable outcomes for the next generation of students.
Experience
Director of College & Persistence
Jul 2024 — Present · New Orleans, LA, US
Education
Loyola University Chicago
Cultural and Educational Policy Studies (SAL)
Northern Illinois University
Director of Special Education (Endorsement), Special Education and Teaching
2008 — 2009
Elmhurst University
B.A. in Special Education (cum laude)
Elmhurst University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Special Education and Teaching
2000 — 2003
Northern Illinois University
Master's degree, Educational Leadership and Administration, General
2006 — 2008
Northern Illinois University
M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration (Type 75)
Skills
- Curriculum Development
- Literacy
- Classroom Management
- Iep
- Secondary Education
- Educational Technology
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
- Staff Development
- Elementary Education
- Rti
- Educational Leadership
- Community Outreach
- Student Affairs
- Curriculum Design
- Program Development
- Teaching
- Public Speaking
- Classroom
- Lesson Planning
- K-12
- Differentiated Instruction
- Technology Integration
- Instructional Technology
- Instructional Design
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