WEST ORANGE, NJ – In a special meeting of the Board of Education on Jan. 30, West Orange resident and long-time educator Dr. Dia Bryant was appointed by unanimous vote to fill the position vacated by Jennifer Tunnicliffe, who resigned on Jan. 4.

15 community members submitted letters of interest for the position, which will run until November, when elections will be held for that seat and two others currently held by Board President Brian Rock and Eric Stevenson. Bryant's seat will be for one year and the other two for three years, to return to the orginal order of the elections.

Dr. Bryant brings years of experience as a teacher, school founder, and special assistant to the first deputy chancellor. She recently stepped down as the executive director at the Education Trust-New York to spend more time with her family. Her passion is education, research, data, equity, and opportunity.

Originally from Detroit, Dr. Bryant holds a bachelor's in Economics from Kalamazoo College, a Masters in Math Education from Brooklyn College, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Dia Bryant