Wayne D. Lewis, Jr, PhD is Inaugural Dean and Professor in the School of Education at Belmont University. Dr. Lewis most recently led the Kentucky Department of Education as the state’s chief state school officer from April 2018 until December 2019. His resume includes experience as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, postsecondary faculty member and program administrator at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and as an executive administrator in state government. His published research and writing over the last decade has been in the areas of education policy and politics, school-family-community engagement, and school choice, in American and international contexts.

Dr. Lewis completed undergraduate studies at Loyola University New Orleans. He earned a master's degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in Public Administration at The University of Akron, completed post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program in special education at The University of New Orleans, and earned a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis with a cognate in Public Administration at North Carolina State University. Prior to assuming appointments in state government, he was an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and educational leadership doctoral programs chairperson in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Cathy Eschete has more than 15 years of experience working in the field of education. Following the completion of her Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College in Elementary and Special Education, she served as a resource and inclusion middle school teacher. Upon relocating to California, she served as a Clinical Supervisor providing early intervention services for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as providing consultation services to area school districts seeking to improve their special education programs.

She received a Master’s degree from California State University Stanislaus in Special Education and her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Special Education from Louisiana State University. During her PhD program, she served as a graduate assistant and taught special education courses at Louisiana State University. Dr. Eschete has presented at numerous professional conferences on topics, such as behavior management and instructional strategies to increase engagement. Dr. Eschete most recently served as Assistant Professor and Director of Field Experience in the School of Education at Louisiana College.

Growing up in a family of educators, she has always had a desire to work in the field of education. She and her husband, Dylan Eschete, have three daughters, Isabella, Presley, and Kennedy. Dr. Eschete enjoys being active in her church, ministering to children in the foster care system, cheering on the LSU Tiger football team, shopping, and making memories with her family.

"Loving People, Changing Lives” is the motto that Dr. Darcie Chism Finch strives to live by on a daily basis through the various roles as a wife, mother, educator, and active community member. After leaving Memphis, TN in 1999, she attended the historical Fisk University, and was a Jubilee Singer who traveled the world and recorded "In Bright Mansions" in 2002 with Curb Records. She received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a special focus in Education in 2003. After Fisk, Darcie continued her education at Tennessee State University, receiving Master of Education and Educational Specialist degrees in Administration Supervision. She received a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership in October 2016 and has successfully taught student-centered, technology integrated, and data driven classes in grades 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.

Darcie also served as an elementary and middle school Numeracy Instructional Coach working with teachers and students to improve academic achievement while also leading professional developments in research based practices, mathematics, and intervention for over eight years.

Darcie has facilitated several state initiatives. She was a common core math coach for grades K-2, 5, and 8. In 2015, Darcie also served on Tennessee's Math Standards Revisions committee and was selected to serve on the Tennessee Standards Recommendations Committee.

In her limited spare time, Darcie loves teaching students to speak English and has designed lessons for students from the ages of 6 to 14.

Most importantly, Darcie is married to Harold W. Finch, II. They have two beautiful children, Darilyn and Harold W. Finch, III, and enjoy traveling and Friday Family Nights!

Andrea McClain began her career at Belmont University in February 2008. Prior to Belmont, Ms. McClain was a History Instructor at Columbia State Community College.  She received a Master of Human Resources from Lipscomb University and a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee State University.

Mrs. Ann Baldwin has been at Belmont since 1994 and has a background in administration with corporate and private businesses. She currently serves as the Office Manager for the School of Education.