Sharon Lust School of Education

The Augustana University Sharon Lust School of Education has a long and rich history in teacher education and commitment to developing other professionals who care deeply about serving children, youth and/or adults in a variety of capacities. 

The school has an impressive track record for offering excellent professional programs that are grounded in the liberal arts and engaged in impactful research — particularly in the area of positive youth development. Faculty develop programs that are both responsive and innovative, including Augie Access, which enables students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to attend college.

Dr. Laurie Daily is the inaugural dean of the Sharon Lust School of Education, first joining AU in 2015 as chair of the Augustana Education Department. She received her doctoral degree in educational leadership at Argosy University and earned a master’s degree in special education at the University of North Carolina. Prior to coming to Augustana, Daily had been the education chairperson at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, where she was chair for seven years and also taught for 12 years. Before that, she directed a field-based special education teacher training program in New Hampshire, coordinated the special education program at Plymouth State College and taught children with special needs in North Carolina.