Erin N Paradise

Biography

For over 19 years, Erin Paradise has served in K-12 and higher education settings as a teacher, mentor, and leader. She taught courses in business communication, research methods, organizational behavior and management, teaching and learning, and leadership. Dr. Paradise is passionate about student support and strives to create a classroom environment where students can take risks, challenge themselves, and build skills for their future careers. As part of university-wide leadership initiatives, Dr. Paradise served as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Fellow at the University of Arizona, a group that develops and implements programs to support Latinx students and promote DEI. She is also a member of the faculty advisory council for the Honors College

Prior to joining the University of Arizona faculty, Dr. Paradise was Head of School for BASIS Tucson North, one of the nation’s top-ranked charter schools. She served as a mentor for leaders across the 27-school network and provided professional development training and ongoing coaching. As a leader, she has worked with a variety of stakeholders to adopt change initiatives that promote student success, employee support, and organizational growth. 

Dr. Paradise earned her B.F.A. in Theatre Arts Education and Outreach from the University of Arizona, her M.B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University, and her Ed.D. in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Her research interests include self-efficacy, professional development, and belongingness.

Dr. Paradise is involved in several community organizations in leadership, theatre arts, athletics, and service. She is a volunteer for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, member of the Breakfast Club of Tucson, alum of the Emerging Leaders Council, past Board Member for Southern Arizona Performing Arts Company, current Treasurer of The Gregory School Board, and Co-Founder of 520 Running & Riding. She is also a member of the Association for Business Communication and Phi Delta Kappa.

Degrees

• Ed.D. Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
• Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
• WORKING TOWARD INCLUSION: PROFESSIONALIZATION OF NON-TEACHING STAFF IN K-12 CHARTER SCHOOLS
• M.B.A. Organizational Leadership
• Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, United States
• B.F.A. Theatre Arts Education and Outreach
• University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Awards

• Eller Upper Division Faculty Member of the Year
• Eller Dean's Council, Spring 2024
• 40 Under 40 Honoree
• Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fall 2023
• Most Engaging Faculty Member
• Eller Dean's Council, Fall 2023
• Writing Across Curriculum Fellowship
• Fall 2022
• HSI Fellowship
• University of Arizona, Fall 2021