Hato. Osiyo. Sawasdee. Hello.

Richard "Lennon" Audrain

Shawnee Tribe • Cherokee Nation

Head of Innovation and Policy Initiatives, Next Education Workforce Initiative and Research Assistant Professor, Division for Advancing Educator Preparation at Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation

My work focuses on designing and researching systems and policies that strengthen how we recruit, prepare, and organize educators to meet the complex needs of schools and communities.

Starting Fall 2026: Assistant Professor, Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, Arizona State University

R. Lennon Audrain

Books

Unlocking the Potential of Team-Based Staffing
New • 2025

Unlocking the Potential of Team-Based Staffing

A Guide for School and System Leaders

Maddin, B. W., Audrain, R. L., Maresso Wyatt, L., & Salmacia, K.

Harvard Education Press, 2025

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The Next Education Workforce
2022

The Next Education Workforce: How Team-Based Staffing Models Can Support Equity and Improve Learning Outcomes

Basile, C. G., Maddin, B. W., & Audrain, R. L.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2022

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Explore My Work

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Publications

Refereed journal articles, books, book chapters, and research reports

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Speaking

Keynotes, presentations, and invited talks at conferences and institutions

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Projects

Research initiatives, grants, and collaborative work transforming education

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Media

Press features, podcast appearances, and documentary work

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About

Richard "Lennon" Audrain, PhD is an enrolled citizen of the Shawnee Tribe and Cherokee Nation. He serves as Head of Innovation and Policy Initiatives for the Next Education Workforce Initiative at Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, where he also holds the position of Research Assistant Professor in the Division for Advancing Educator Preparation.

His research and practice focus on transforming how educational systems recruit, prepare, and organize educators. Through strategic policy design and innovative workforce models, his work addresses the evolving needs of schools and communities in an increasingly complex educational landscape.

Beginning Fall 2026, Dr. Audrain will join the faculty as an Assistant Professor at the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, continuing his mission to reimagine educator preparation and school staffing models.

Current Position Research Assistant Professor
Incoming (Fall 2026) Assistant Professor
Institution Arizona State University
Google Scholar 88 citations, h-index: 5

Connect

Email

[email protected]

Office

HB Farmer Education Building
Mail Code: 1811
Arizona State University

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