The Department is pleased to announce that Mr. Paul Craft will succeed Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez as the Director of the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA), effective March 9, 2026.
Mr. Craft brings a unique combination of military command and education experience to DoWEA. He served our country for 31 years in the Ohio Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Colonel, while also serving his community as an administrator, physics teacher, and coach. In his most recent role as the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Ohio, Mr. Craft was responsible for the licensure of more than 350,000 individuals, ensuring 1.6 million students across the state engaged with well-qualified educators displaying strong character and sound judgment.
Throughout his career, Mr. Craft has held numerous executive roles in the public and private sectors, driving academic excellence as the Superintendent of Buckeye Valley Local Schools and Delaware City Schools, both in Ohio, and bringing technology and innovation to classrooms as the Chief Executive Officer of META Solutions, also in Ohio. Mr. Craft earned master's degrees in educational leadership and strategic studies from The Ohio State University and U.S. Army War College, respectively.
"When our warriors sign up to serve, we commit to taking care of them and their families," said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. "Paul is going to guide the K-12 transformation required to deliver on this promise, providing our military-connected children with the best possible education and opportunities."
Dr. Narvaez will step down from her current role on March 6, 2026.
"On behalf of the Department, I want to thank Beth for her many years of dedicated service to DoWEA. We appreciate her contributions to the organization, as well as her support facilitating a seamless transition," said Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata.
Going forward, the Department is focused on embracing the fundamentals of excellence in education for the more than 67,000 military-connected children studying in our 161 DoWEA schools: parental transparency, high expectations for students, superb teachers, and rigorous curriculum. "Paul is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of elevating organizations," added Hegseth. "He is the right leader to swiftly reorient DoWEA towards patriotic values and classical learning, consistent with the Department's focus on merit, standards, and excellence."