Speakers
Karega Rausch
Authorizers
Building on the concepts from Session 1, this session focuses on practical, low-lift ways to implement NACSA’s New School Application Guidance within Colorado’s local contexts and timelines. Participants will learn about real-life application of the guidance and explore concrete strategies to start shifting rigor from paper to people without sacrificing accountability. (Session 1 recommended, but not a prerequisite)
Karega Rausch is the President and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), responsible for ensuring NACSA advances and strengthens the ideas and practices of authorizing so that students and communities, especially those who are historically under resourced, thrive.
He has extensive charter school authorizing, education research and policy, community engagement, and strategic advocacy experience. Before being appointed CEO at NACSA, Karega headed NACSA’s research initiatives, was a former Education & Charter Schools Director with the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office, the Board Chair of the Indiana Charter Schools Board (Indiana’s statewide authorizer), the Director of the Indianapolis affiliate of Stand for Children, and on the leadership team of Indiana University’s Equity Project, housed at the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy.
Karega has authored or co-authored numerous professional publications and has presented at many research conferences across the country on charter school authorizing, racial/ethnic disproportionality in school discipline, and special education reform.
Karega earned his Ph.D. and master’s degree in educational psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
Karega enjoys spending time with his family, running, twirling a cane, and engaging friends at his local church.
Melissa is NACSA’s Senior Manager of Instructional Design. She supports authorizers by designing and developing professional learning opportunities that enhance their knowledge and professional practices.
Her experience in libraries and higher education give Melissa the ability to approach professional learning with a strong focus on accessibility, user engagement, and measurable outcomes. These skills support NACSA’s mission by ensuring that authorizers receive well-designed, impactful resources tailored to their unique needs.
Melissa holds a Master of Arts in Learning Design and Technology from the University of Colorado, a Master of Library & Information Science from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University.
When she is not designing and facilitating professional learning, Melissa enjoys exploring creative projects and spending time with her family.