Dr. April L. Fleming
TPI-US REVIEWER
Dr. April L. Fleming is a visionary leader in higher education and educator preparation, with over 20 years of experience advancing student success across K–12 and postsecondary systems. She currently serves as Dean of the School of Education and Charter Schools at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), where she oversees academic programs, charter school operations, and state-funded workforce initiatives.
Dr. Fleming began her career as a K–12 science educator, teaching biology and chemistry at both the middle and high school levels. Her hands-on classroom experience shaped her commitment to rigorous, student-centered instruction and continues to guide her leadership in preparing dynamic, practice-ready teachers for today’s classrooms.
She has provided strategic and programmatic leadership across curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and budget management—ensuring academic excellence, accreditation alignment, and continuous improvement throughout FSW’s educator preparation programs.
Under her leadership, FSW was awarded an $800,000 Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) grant from the Florida Department of Education. The TAP program offers a no-cost, earn-while-you-learn pathway for aspiring teachers—expanding access to the profession, removing barriers to entry, and helping address critical educator shortages in Southwest Florida.
Dr. Fleming has also secured over $500,000 in external grant funding and built strong partnerships with regional school districts, charter networks, and philanthropic organizations to grow educator pipelines and improve educational outcomes across the region.
She holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Dillard University, an M.S. in Early Childhood Education, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. A graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for HBCU administrators, Dr. Fleming currently serves as Immediate Past President of the Florida Community College Early Childhood Educators Network (FCCECEN) and Chair of the Professional Development Committee for the Florida Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
With a leadership style rooted in collaboration, innovation, and student success, Dr. Fleming is committed to empowering future educators and shaping the next generation of educational leaders.