Office Location:
212 ZankelOffice Hours:
By appointment. Email: jsg46@columbia.eduTC Affiliations:
Educational Background
Columbia University, Teachers College, Ph.D., Politics and Education (2012)
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, M.P.A., Education & Public Policy and Management (2000)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., Morehead-Cain Scholar, English Literature and Drama (1996)
Scholarly Interests
Educational Privatization and Publicization, Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Urban Education Politics, American Federalism, Centralization and Decentralization, Education Policy, Political Theory, Philosophical Pragmatism, Social Movements and Change.
Selected Publications
BOOKS
Author, "Publicization: How Public and Private Interests Can Reinvent Education for the Common Good," New York, NY: Teachers College Press, Columbia University, 2024.
Author, Foreword to Campbell, C., "Great College Teaching: Where it Happens and How to Foster it Everywhere," Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press, 2023.
EDITORTIAL
Member, Editorial Board, Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform, Routledge Taylor & Francis, November 2024 to present.
CHAPTERS, PAPERS, & MONOGRAPHS
Contributor, “Why Do Students Choose to Recommend Some Professors: Understanding Student Perception of Instructors through Mixed-Methods Research,” Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), New York, NY 2024.
Co-Author, “Success Factors: Policies & Practices that Inspire Faculty & Strengthen Teaching,” Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), New York, NY, 2022.
Contributor, “ACUE Student, Faculty, and Institutional Impact Research: Independent Review Process and Findings,” ACUE, New York, NY 2019.
Author, “Teacher Voice” (doctoral dissertation), available at Academic Commons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 2012.
Research Advisor, “How Strong Are U.S. Teacher Unions? A State-By-State Comparison,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Washington, DC, 2012.
Co-Author, “NYC: Strong Vision, Learning by Doing, or the Politics of Muddling Through,” in Bulkley, K., Henig, J., and Levin, H., in Between Public and Private: Politics, Governance, and the New Portfolio Models for Urban School Reform, Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press, 2010.
Author, “The Grinding Battle with Circumstance: Charter Schools and the Potential of School-Based Collective Bargaining,” Occasional Paper 152, National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Columbia University, 2008.
Co-Author, “Charter School Funding in New York: Perspectives on Parity with Traditional Public Schools,” Institute for Education and Social Policy, New York University, 2004.
Author, “School Choice and Market Theory,” Independent Study, Columbia University, NY, 2000.
Contributor, “Over-Representation of Minority Students in Special Education: Report to the National Academy of Sciences,” Columbia University, New York, NY, 2000.
ARTICLES
Author, "From Privatization to Publicization: Strengthening the public education narrative squarely within the country's democratic practices through coalition building," School Administrator Magazine, AASA, December 2025.
Author, "Mamdani's Education Plan: Ask Around, Find Out," Education Next, November 2025.
Author, “Higher Ed is Not a Public Good, But it Could Be,” Inside Higher Ed, January 16, 2025.
Author, “Some Advice for the Political Left: Let’s Redefine ‘Public Education’ to Improve all Schools,” Hechinger Report, November 25, 2024.
Author, “Embracing AI’s Disruption in Higher Education,” The EvoLLLution, A Modern Campus Illumination, May 9, 2024.
Contributor, “The Return on Effective Teaching? Student, Faculty, and Institutional Success,” Chronicle of Higher Education, Washington, DC, November 10, 2023 (sponsored content).
Author, “Higher Education Should Be Wary of Promising Prosperity,” Times Higher Education, London, UK, January 11, 2023.
Author, “Good Teaching Can Be Taught, at Scale," Chronicle of Higher Education, Washington, DC, January 12, 2022.
Co-Author, “Faculty Are Key to Student Success,” Education Commission of the States, December 2021.
Author, “Student Success through Quality Instruction,” Building a Brighter Future: Big Ideas for Postsecondary Education Series, CKF, Arlington, VA, 2021.
Co-Author, “Our ‘Directive’: Quality Teaching and Learning,” Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, Washington, DC, 2020.
Contributor, “The remote-learning response to COVID-19 is remarkable. It also highlights a problem,” Big Think, New York, NY, 2020.
Contributor, “OPINION: Here’s a novel way to keep students in college: good teaching,” Hechinger Report, New York, NY, 2018.
Contributor, “Teaching and Student Success: ACUE Makes the Link,” Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, Washington, DC, 2017.
Author, “The Trouble with ‘Teacher Voice’,” Politics of Education Association Bulletin, Vol. 38, 2, 2014.
Author, “On Guggenheim’s Cutting Room Floor,” Huffington Post, 2010.
Contributor, “Chartering Educational Excellence: Why Teachers Matter Most,” UFT, New York, NY, 2007.
Author, “After Apartheid,” Taft Alumni Bulletin, Taft School, Watertown, CT, 1997.
REPORTS
Co-Author, “Success & Equity through Quality Instruction, Bringing Faculty into the Student Success Movement,” Strong Start to Finish, Education Commission of the States, Boulder, CO, 2021.
Co-Author, “Inclusive and Equitable Teaching: ACUE Curriculum Crosswalk,” ACUE, New York, NY, 2020.
Contributor, “Creating a Culture of Caring: Practical Approaches for College and University Faculty to Support Student Wellbeing and Mental Health,” Active Minds, Washington, D.C., 2020.
Co-Author, “Connecting the Dots: A Proposed Accountability Method for Evaluating the Efficacy of Faculty Development and Its Impact on Student Outcomes,” ACUE, New York, NY, 2018.
Co-Author, “Why Colleges & Universities Need to Invest in Quality Teaching More Than Ever: Faculty Development, Evidence-Based Teaching, & Student Success,” ACUE, New York, NY, 2016.
Contributor, “Separate and Unequal: The Failure of New York City Charter Schools to Serve the City’s Neediest Students,” United Federation of Teachers, New York, NY, 2010.
PROPOSALS
Co-Author, “Excellence in Teacher Preparation Through Systemwide Teacher Residency,” successful $2.5m proposal with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system and the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) to the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation, Inc., May 2025.
Author, “College Student Attitudes toward College Instruction,” successful $50k grant proposal to the Lumina Foundation, June 2024.
Author, “Deepening Deliberative Discourse in Class & Campuswide,” successful $300k grant proposal to the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations in collaboration with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), May 2024.
Author, “Belonging: The National Collegiate Teaching Challenge,” successful $1.2m matching grant DEI proposal to the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the ECMC Foundation submitted in collaboration with the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH), 2023.
Author, “Faculty and Student Mindset: A National Study,” successful $1.5m proposal to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2021.
Author, “HBCU Excellence in Online Instruction,” successful $1.4m proposal to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, 2020.
Author, “Excellence for Equity: Strengthening post-secondary completion and career readiness through excellence in instruction,” successful $500,000 proposal to the Carnegie Corp. of NY, 2019.
Author, “Opportunity for All: Preparing & graduating millions more well-educated college students through instructional excellence,” successful $2.5m proposal to Charles Koch Foundation, 2019.
Co-Author, “The CIC Consortium for Instructional Excellence and Career Readiness,” successful $1.2m proposal to Strada Education Network, 2017.
Author, “Public Education and Dynamic Bilingualism for the 21st Century: Building a Progressive Policy Framework to Educate All of New York’s English Language Learners and Prepare All Students for Success in a Multilingual and Inter-Connected World,” Leeds Global Partners policy brief published by the New York Immigration Coalition and the Internationals Network for Public Schools, New York, NY, 2013.
Lead Researcher, “Gulf University Today and Tomorrow: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Institutional Review Report,” Leeds Global Partners for the Gulf University of Bahrain, 2011.
Co-Author, “The Full Promise of Its Potential: Final Recommendations on a Managing Partner for Emirates College for Advanced Education,” Leeds Global Partners for Abu Dhabi Education Council, 2010.
Co-Author, “Fulfilling the Promise: Findings and Recommendations regarding Emirates College for Advanced Education,” Leeds Global Partners for the Abu Dhabi Education Council, 2010.
Author, “New Schools Haiti: Bringing Immediate Improvement and Long-Term Quality to Haiti’s Schools and Increased Access to Haiti’s Children,” Leeds Global Partners concept paper for the Education Ministry of the Republic of Haiti, 2011.
Co-Author, “AFT Innovation Fund Concept Paper,” American Federation of Teachers, Wash., D.C., 2008.
Co-Author and editor, Green Dot New York Charter School, approved charter school proposal submitted to the State University of New York Charter Schools Institute, 2007.
Lead Author and editor, The UFT Charter School, approved charter school application proposal to the State University of New York Charter Schools Institute, 2005.
Co-author, “New York City Center for Charter School Excellence,” successful $42m grant proposal to the Robin Hood, Robertson, Beginning with Children, and Clark Foundations, 2004.
Author, “Tiger Kloof Drama Enrichment Program,” successful $30k grant proposal to the Genesis-Solon Foundation, 1997.
EVENTS, PRESENTATIONS, & PUBLISHED REMARKS
Speaker, “Provost Impact Talk with Katia Passerini,” Seton Hall University, April 15, 2025.
Speaker, “Texas Higher Ed Forum,” hosted by the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M System, April 9, 2025.
Guest, “Public Good vs. Public Goods in Higher Ed,” BustED Pencils (podcast) with Tim Slekar and John Lupinacci, CivicMedia.us, March 15, 2025.
Speaker, “Excellence in Teaching Recognition Ceremony,” Palm Beach State College, January 31, 2025.
Guest, “Dealing for our Public Schools,” BustED Pencils (podcast) with Tim Slekar and John Lupinacci, CivicMedia.us, December 7, 2024.
Participant, “Civil Discourse On Campus and Nationwide,” grantees convening, Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, December 6, 2024.
Panelist, “How Will the 2024 Election Impact Education” (webcast), moderated discussion with Liz Willen of the Hechinger Report and Ian Rowe of the American Enterprise Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, October 22, 2024.
Guest, “Provosts and Teaching Excellence: A Conversation with Jonathan Gyurko,” EdUp Provost (podcast) hosted by Gregor Thuswaldner, September, 24, 2024.
Guest, “Fostering Student Success Through Quality Teaching,” EdTech Elevated (podcast), Sept. 3, 2024.
Co-Author, “Is Education a Public or Private Good?” Rick Hess Straight Up, EdWeek, Aug. 20, 2024.
Guest, “ACUE: Educating Educators,” BustED Pencils (podcast) with Tim Slekar and John Lupinacci, CivicMedia.us, June 25, 2024.
Guest, “What Does it Mean for a School to be Public?” BustED Pencils (podcast) with Tim Slekar and John Lupinacci, CivicMedia.us, June 5, 2024.
Guest, “The Opposite of Privatization is Publicization,” Have You Heard (podcast) with Jack Schneider and Jennifer Berkshire, May 16, 2024.
Host, “Fostering Great College Teaching Everywhere with Dr. Corbin Campbell,” online book talk, Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), June 2023 & April 2024.
Producer & Writer, “The National Higher Education Teaching Conference,” hosted by the American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY), The City University of New York (CUNY), the ECMC Foundation, Excelencia in Education, National Association of System Heads (NASH), Raikes Foundation, Strada Education Foundation, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), New York, NY, June 2023.
Facilitator, “Student Success through Quality Teaching: A Holistic Strategy for Faculty Engagement,” American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), webinar, June 2023.
Co-Author, “Mitigating bias in student evaluations of teaching,” Roundtable session, American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, 2023.
Presenter, “Success and Equity Through Quality Instruction,” Learning Network Convening, Strong Start to Finish/Education Commission of the States, 2022.
Presenter, “Engaging Faculty in the Student Success Movement,” Provosts Student Success Institute, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 2022.
Speaker, “The Learning Imperative,” National Association of System Heads “Big Rethink” Convening on the Future of Higher Education, Washington DC, 2021.
Panelist, “A Future of Opportunity: Making Education Work for All Learners,” American Council on Education (ACE), annual conference concurrent session, web event, 2021.
Panelist, “Why is college teaching so hit-or-miss, and what can we do about it?” American Enterprise Institute, web event, 2020.
Co-Author, “The Guy Who’s Teaching Professors to Teach,” Rick Hess Straight Up, EdWeek, 2020.
Presenter, “Accounting for Teaching’s Value,” Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Annual Conference, Washington, DC, 2020.
Moderator, “Creating Value: Improving Instruction & Student Outcomes with Career Guidance,” Presidents Institute, Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), San Marco, FL, 2020.
Speaker, “Welcome Remarks on ACUE and NISOD’s Collaboration,” the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), Austin, TX, 2019.
Speaker, “Creating Value: Student Success through Quality Instruction,” the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, Washington, DC, 2019.
Presenter, “Strengthening Undergraduate Teaching: Network Approaches for Advancing Skillful Teaching Practices,” American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Cambridge, MA, 2018.
Speaker, “The ACUE Collaboration,” ACE annual conference, Washington, DC, 2018.
Speaker, “The ACUE Consortium,” Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Institute, St. Louis, MO, 2018.
Speaker, “Teaching and Learning,” White House HBCU Board of Advisors, Washington, DC, 2016.
Moderator, “Seeking Common Ground: The Future of the Teachers Union,” Yale School of Management, Education Leadership Conference 2014, New Haven, CT, 2014.
Speaker, “Increasing Teacher, Parent, and Student Voice in Charters,” Fulfilling the Promise: Building Progressive Charter School Movement, United Federation of Teachers, New York, NY, 2011.
Speaker, "Catalyzing Urban School Change: Rejuvinating and Reconceptualizing Teaching," The Institute for Urban Education, Milano School of Policy, The New School , New York, NY, 2011.
Speaker, “Asset or Liability: Debating the Fiscal Impact of Charter Schools,” National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) Conference, Savannah, GA, 2007.
Speaker, “Can Unions and Charters ‘Get Along’?” National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM, 2007.
Moderator, “Assessing the Impact of Charters on Districts,” Chartering 2.0, Makinaw, MI, 2005.
Moderator, “Embracing Reform from Within: Opportunities and Challenges for District Authorizers,” NACSA Annual Conference, San Diego, NM, 2003.
Facilitator, “Charter School Governance,” NACSA Annual Conference, October 2002.
Panelist, “The Future of New York’s Charter Schools,” NYC Women’s City Club, New York, 2002.
Presenter, “Private Philanthropy and Public Charter Schools,” Pocantico Conference Center, NY, 2002.
Presenter, “New York Charter School Financing,” Education Commission of the States (ECS) Charter School Working Group, Denver, CO, 2002.
Panelist, “Charter Schools: What Role Can Private Philanthropy Play?” New York Regional Association of Grantmakers Members Briefing, New York, 2002.
Biographical Information
Jonathan Gyurko (pronounced GUR-ko) has spent 30 years creating education opportunities of the highest quality for students, teachers, and professors in the United States and around the world. His innovative efforts have transformed teaching, learning, and public policy. He is an accomplished executive, fundraiser, professor, and scholar.
In 2014, Gyurko co-founded the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). Its mission is student success through quality instruction. Under Gyurko’s leadership, ACUE developed and delivered world-class, online learning experiences to more than 55,000 professors, to the benefit of millions of students, in partnership with 600 colleges, universities, and state systems.
Prior to ACUE, Gyurko was president of Leeds Global Partners, an education consultancy chaired Benno C. Schmidt, the former president of Yale University and chairman of the City University of New York. Domestic clients included the Connecticut State Education Department, for which Gyurko negotiated the state’s 2012 education reform law. International clients included the Abu Dhabi Education Council, for which Gyurko advised on implementation of the emirate’s New School Model.
Early in his career, Gyurko was an education leader in New York City. He led new district and charter school development during the Bloomberg administration and was special assistant to Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. He served as a board officer for Harlem RBI and worked closely with the City University of New York and State University of New York systems. He got his start as an English and drama teacher at Tiger Kloof School in South Africa in the years after apartheid.
Gyurko holds a PhD in Politics and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, an MPA in public policy from Columbia’s School of International & Public Affairs, and he was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gyurko was the inaugural Harber Fellow in Education Innovation at Wesleyan University. Gyurko’s writings have appeared in EdWeek, EdNext, School Administrator, the Hechinger Report, Inside Higher Ed, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and other outlets. His book, “Publicization: How Public and Private Interests Can Reinvent Education for the Common Good,” has been critically praised as a pragmatic exploration of why the public sector is so valued and what it will take to make public schools live up to their promise.