Sarasota, FL – [August 12th, 2025] – Sarasota University is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Ungerer to its Board of Directors. Richard brings decades of leadership in education, a distinguished record of advancing global learning, and deep expertise in the Montessori community.
Richard currently serves as Treasurer and immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector and as Senior Advisor for the Wisdom International Education Group in Beijing. From 2005 to 2017, he was Executive Director of the American Montessori Society, where he strengthened the organization’s role as a leader in Montessori education worldwide.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ungerer has held leadership positions in prominent educational organizations dedicated to reform and global learning, including the National Institute for Work and Learning, the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, the Organization Development Network, and the National Society for Internships and Experiential Education. He has also served in the U.S. Office of Education and on boards such as the Montessori Model United Nations and the Council for American Private Education.
Ungerer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Colgate University, followed by a Master of Social Planning from Boston College School of Social Work and a Master of Theology in Social Ethics from Boston University School of Theology. He is a published author and an experienced national and international speaker.
Marc Seldin, Sarasota University Board Chair, summarized his thoughts on the decision to welcome Richard Ungerer to the board. “Sarasota University is honored to have Mr. Ungerer join us on the board. In his career, he has already demonstrated a commitment to furthering Montessori education and has become widely recognized as one of the thought leaders of the educational method we all so admire. His deep expertise in Montessori, alternative education, and philanthropy will help guide the university through sustainable growth in the coming years. We are very fortunate to have him come aboard in this role.” For more information about Sarasota University, visit www.sarasotauniversity.edu.