Background
Leestma, Robert was born on October 15, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Richard and Jeanne (Nivarre) Leestma.
educator federal agency administrator
Leestma, Robert was born on October 15, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Richard and Jeanne (Nivarre) Leestma.
AB, University of Michigan, 1949; AM, University of Michigan, 1951; Doctor of Philosophy, University of Michigan, 1956.
Research, teaching assistant, community adult education program University Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1949-1950. Teacher English and social studies Ann Arbor public schools, 1950-1951. Assistant director Audio-Visual Education Center, lecturer school education University Michigan, 1951-1955, associate professor, director Peace Corps training program Thailand, 1961-1964.
International Cooperation Administration education and Massachusetts communications advisor Government of Vietnam, 1955-1958. Agency for International Development education adviser Government of Thailand, 1958-1961. Deputy chief education division Bureau Africa, Agency for International Development, 1964-1965.
Director Office Multilateral Policy and Programs, Multilateral Policy Planning Staff, Bureau Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department State, 1965-1967. Assistant to assistant secretary education for international education Department of Health, 1967-1968. Director Institute International Studies, associate commissioner international education United States Office Education, 1968-1974, associate commissioner institutional development and international education, 1974-1979.
Deputy director planning and implementation Office Education for Overseas Dependents, United States Department Education, 1980-1982. Associate director dissemination and improvement of practice National Institute Education, 1982-1983, associate director field initiated and internal studies, 1984—1985. Director United States study education in Japan, Office Educational Research and Improvement Department Education, 1986—1989.
Vice president international programs American Association State Colleges and Universities, Washington, 1989-1991. Director special studies staff United States Department Education Office Educational Research and Improvement, 1991-1994. Also senior policy advisor Education Research and Development Bureau Agency for International Development, 1992-1994.
Interim director The National Library Education, 1994. Education consultant, since 1995. Member, chairman and/or adviser United States delegations international conferences.
United States representative, chairman education committee Organization of European Cooperation and Development. United States representative governing council International Bureau Education, United Nations Educational. Member Indo-United States Subcommn. on Education and Culture, United States-Egyptian Joint Working Group on Education and Culture, United States-Japan Culcon Education Committee, United States National Commission for United Nations Educational.
Alternate member United States-Japan Friendship Commission, also American panel Joint Culcon Committee. Member advisory committee Hanna Collection, Hoover Institution, Committee on Education and Successor Generation of Atlantic Council United States. Board directors Pericles Institute, Abraham A. Low Institute.
(Book by Leestma, Robert, Walberg, Herbert J.)
With Army of the United States, 1946-1947. Member American Ednl. Research Association, Comparative and International Education Society, Association Asian Studies, Phi Delta Kappa.
Married Margaret Elizabeth Bell, August 13, 1955 (deceased 1982).