Kristi Santi, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies has been appointed to the Elections Standing Committee of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Santi’s new role overseeing the council’s secret ballot and certification process continues her decades of service with the organization. Santi has been a member of the council since 1998 and currently serves as the sponsor of the student chapter at the University of Houston College of Education.

Santi’s term on the elections committee runs from January 2017 through December 2019. The committee is charged with preparing official ballots, compiling biographical information of candidates and certifying election results for the council.

“This is a great position in a national organization for which I have held other responsibilities,” said Santi, whose other roles included presenter, reviewer and student organizer. “Becoming more available to the special education research and practitioner community, in general, is a goal as I expand my lines of research.”

Her research interests include the transition of students from high school to college, English Language Learners and special education placement.

The Council for Exceptional Children serves as the voice for youngsters with exceptionalities, advocating for sound policies and setting high professional standards.

“It is only with the commitment, dedication and engagement of amazing volunteer leaders like (Santi) that the Council for Exceptional Children can fulfill its mission,” said the council’s president, Antonis Katsiyannis.