Lorrie Shepard’s legacy

Lorrie Shepard has been a pillar of the CU Boulder School of Education since 1974—first as a faculty member and then as Dean from 2001–2016. Even as Dean Emerita, Shepard continues to mentor students and guide research as Distinguished Professor in the Research and Evaluation Methodology program. We caught up with Shepard, who retired last fall.

What are you most proud of from your time at CU Boulder?

“As dean, I was most prideful about the people I was able to recruit and support. I recruited incredibly accomplished and caring faculty; I still watch their careers and take pride in their successes and contributions. With Dan Liston, the generosity of Bill and Connie Barclay, and the admonishments of my dear colleague, Ofelia Miramontes, ringing in my ears, I helped create the Miramontes Doctoral Scholars program, which profoundly enhanced the diversity of our PhD program. Led by Margaret Eisenhart, the faculty developed the full-time, cohort-based doctoral program that, today, enhances cross-program-area connections. I supported Bethy Leonardi and Sara Staley in their founding of A Queer Endeavor, which has helped thousands of educators learn how to provide safe and nurturing learning environments for LGBTQ+ students and their families. And, I recruited Ben Kirshner and Roudy Hildreth to conceive and then build CU Engage, which brings together programs where student learning in academic coursework is integrated with experiential learning in reciprocal, community-based partnerships.”

Now in retirement, what have you had time to grow and cherish?

“I haven’t been 100 percent successful at retirement, as I am still chairing two committees for the National Academy of Education, and I continue to advocate for policy changes against high-stakes accountability testing and in favor of professional development to support formative assessment embedded in interactive, dialogic instructional practices. Happily, Jim and I have been able to spend more time with our five grandchildren. We had visits from our two granddaughters this summer. I took care of 5-year-old Rosie every day while her parents worked remotely; she loves swimming and hates sunscreen, so that meant indoor pools almost every day. Fourteen-year-old Io came with her best friend for the first time since COVID-19; their first request was that we go to the Animal Sanctuary, (even more important than shopping for school clothes). Following the annual American Educational Research Association meeting, I’ve been able to spend about 4 hours per day gardening. Gardening an acre is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. By the time all the pruning and weeding is done in each area, it’s time to start again.”