Director of the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College Columbia University, the #1 ranked Graduate School of Education in the United States (US News & World Report - 2023). His expertise lies in the area of Organization and Leadership, where he specializes in Decision-Making and School Design. He was previously the director of the Urban Education Leadership Program at Teachers College, where he was responsible for designing and gaining accreditation of the doctoral program. He is the former Chair and Professor of Education Law and Policy at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. 

He has served as a consultant to schools and districts throughout the U.S., Brazil, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, the People’s Republic of China, India, Venezuela, and the Republic of South Africa. Dr. Perkins has previously served as a visiting professor at the University of Pretoria in South Africa for more than a decade. Dr. Perkins received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Grambling State University, a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Yale University School of Medicine, and his Doctor of Education Degree from Columbia University Teachers College.
 

hails from a humble upbringing in Laredo, Texas, where she triumphed over poverty, discrimination, and illiteracy. Her parents instilled in her the values of culture, tradition, and faith, which she carried into her distinguished military career. As the highest-ranking Mexican-American woman in the Combat Support Field of the U.S. Army, she shattered barriers and set records.

Following her mother's dying wish, Consuelo retired from the military to become a community leader. In 1996, she founded Educational Achievement Services, Inc. (EAS, Inc.), dedicated to grassroots leadership development. Consuelo treasures her role as a mother alongside her husband, five daughters, and six grandchildren. Her commitment to nurturing young leaders has earned her numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctorate from the Iberoamerican Institute of Higher Studies. She has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the CHCI Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service, the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) Crystal Star Award of Excellence, and the Dr. Héctor P. Garcia Legacy Award. Consuelo's impact has been highlighted in various media outlets, including HBO, CNN, Univision, NPR, and prominent magazines like O, LatinaStyle, and Glamour.

has held superintendent roles at the Houston Independent School District, San Diego Unified School District, and Guilford County Schools. In Houston, he restructured the senior staff and organizational framework to enhance school support, helping principals establish high-quality instructional teams and achieve measurable goals. 

In San Diego, student test scores surged despite budget cuts, and innovative initiatives like the first virtual online high school were implemented. At Guilford County Schools, dropout rates halved, college scholarships doubled, and minority-student enrollment in Advanced Placement classes tripled. Dr. Grier's leadership garnered numerous awards, including the North Carolina Superintendent of the Year Award and the Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Carolina University and a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University.