Jennifer Katona , Director and Founder of the Graduate Program in Educational Theatre at the City College of New York (CCNY), oversees the certification of pre and in-service Theatre teachers and training of non-certified theatre educators. Through her work at CCNY Jennifer created and oversees the middle school afterschool drama program at PS 161 the neighboring K-8 school in Harlem. She is the 2015 recipient of the Lin Wright Special Recognition Award given by the American Alliance for Theatre and Educators (AATE) for Outstanding achievement in Theatre education. She is also the 2014 recipient of the Presidents Award for Outstanding Faculty Service at CCNY. She served for three years on the NYC Arts Advisory Council –designed to advise the Chancellor on arts education policy related issues and currently serves on the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Arts for the New York State Department of Education. Jennifer serves as the Arts Education consultant for Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut and has served as a curriculum consultant for Disney Theatrical Education and facilitated workshops on curriculum mapping for the New York City Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects as well as facilitated webinars on the same topics for teachers nationwide through AATE where she also serves as on the Board of Directors. Prior to coming to CCNY Jennifer taught middle school theatre in Brooklyn and worked as Teaching Artist for numerous cultural organizations throughout the Tri-State area. Currently completing her Ph.D. studies in Urban Education: Arts Policy her current research explores Factors Which Influence the Decision of a School Leader to Maintain or Eliminate Arts Programming in their School. Jennifer has spoken and presented on this topic at many conferences across the country.