Education Department Welcomes New Associate Directors

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Today Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee members voted in two new associate directors in the union’s Department of Education.

Cynthia Poole, associate superintendent of Education and director of Women’s Ministries at the Allegheny East Conference (AEC), will serve as associate director for Early Childhood Education; and Ruth Nino, who most recently served as assistant director for Early Childhood Education at the Columbia Union, will become associate director for elementary education.

Poole has served as AEC’s associate superintendent since 2010 and director of Women’s Ministries since 2013. She previously served as principal of Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa., and assistant principal of Potomac Conference’s Sligo Adventist school (now Takoma Academy Preparatory School) in Takoma Park, Md., among other positions within the Washington, D.C., area public school system.

“Cynthia is an exceptional educator and leader with an impressive track record of educational excellence.  She is passionate about Early Childhood Education and will be an asset to the Columbia Union as we continue to grow and support our Early Childhood programs,” says Donovan Ross, vice president for Education.

Poole graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Washington Adventist University (then Columbia Union College) in Takoma Park, Md.; a Master of Arts in educational administration and supervision from Bowie State University (Md.); and a graduate certificate in educational leadership from Andrews University (Mich.). She is currently a doctoral candidate at Andrews University.

Nino is filling the associate director for Elementary Education position opening left from Alison Jobson’s resignation this summer. Read more about Nino here, who prior to serving at the union, served as principal of New Jersey Conference’s Waldwick Adventist School for 13 years. 

Ross says, “We are excited to welcome Ruth to the role of associate director for Elementary Education. She brings knowledge, passion, skills and expertise gained in over 20 years of providing outstanding instruction and leadership to our students and schools.”