School Leadership

NSU University School’s administration is comprised of dedicated professionals with years of leadership experience. Their innovation, expertise, and dedication to your children and our school help make NSU University School one of the leading college preparatory schools in South Florida.

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William Kopas, Ed.D.
Head of School

William Kopas, Ed.D., is in his seventh year as Head of School at NSU University School after serving five years as Upper School Director. Before coming to NSU University School, Dr. Kopas was principal at Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York. He also served in a variety of administrative capacities including assistant principal, dean of students, and summer school director for 16 years at Brophy Prep in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Kopas earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of four Big Ten Championship swim teams, an individual Big Ten Champion, and a Big Ten Scholar athlete. He has a Masters from Northern Arizona University and received his doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University in 2015.

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Robyn Kaiyal, Ph.D.
Associate Head of Academic Affairs

Associate Head of Academic Affairs, Robyn Kaiyal, Ph.D., joined NSU University School in 2005 as a Middle School English, history, and drama teacher. In 2008, she moved to the Upper School where she taught history and advanced seminar courses. Just two years later, she became Associate Director of Academic Affairs in the Upper School where she oversaw the design, development, and implementation of all instructional programming and staff development. Coming full circle, Dr. Kaiyal returned to the Middle School in 2015 as the Middle School Director where she has inspired faculty and students to strive for academic excellence through innovative, personalized learning experiences. In 2019, she was appointed as Associate Head of Academic Affairs and looks forward to the opportunities that await her in this new role at NSU University School.

Jacob Glickman, M.B.A.
Associate Head of School Operations

Jacob Glickman, M.B.A., joined NSU University School in 2002, and in that time, he has assumed many roles. He was hired to teach Middle School English but expanded his courses to include Middle School and Upper School Latin, Upper School English, and Writing and Rhetoric. He then served as the Associate Director of Media and Digital Technology for two years before serving as Director of Business Operations for five. He became the Associate Head of School Operations in 2022. He oversees Admissions, the Business Office, Communication and Marketing, and Summer and Extended Programs. He holds an M.B.A. and a graduate certificate in Data Analytics from Florida Atlantic University.

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Lisa Chancey, M.S.
Preschool Director

Lisa Chancey, M.S., is the Director of NSU University School's Preschool. Mrs. Chancey joined the USchool community as a parent in 1999 before becoming an active member of the faculty in 2005. Having previously taught English, science, and computer programming in Middle School in Broward County, Mrs. Chancey first began teaching at USchool in the Learning and Research Academy, now known as the Bridges Program. There, she taught second through fourth grade and worked as Team Leader. In 2012, she became an Associate Director in the Lower School. Returning to her Middle School roots in 2017, Mrs. Chancey became the Associate Director in charge of Student Life, Student Academic Support, and the English department. She worked with the administrative team on curriculum and instruction as well as advisory and counseling. Mrs. Chancey became Director of the Middle School in 2019 where she served as a catalyst for change and developed NSU University School’s progressive learning environment. In her current role, she manages the daily operation of educational programs at the Preschool, serving NSU’s youngest sharks.

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Donna Tobey, M.S., Ed.S.
Lower School Director

Donna Tobey, M.S., Ed.S., joins us from Palm Beach Day Academy where she served as the Head of the Lower School for 12 years. While at Palm Beach Day Academy, she implemented ideas from Harvard’s Project Zero to design a “Culture of Thinking.” She was also able to build nationally recognized partnerships with museums, authors, and other educational programs that created innovative opportunities for all students. Ms. Tobey has also served as a principal and teacher at the Gulliver Schools in Coral Gables, the Vice President of the Florida Kindergarten Council, and as a leader in the Florida Council of Independent Schools. She has been recognized and done presentations on elementary education at many national conferences. Ms. Tobey is a progressive educator who is well-versed in the latest educational trends.

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Jan Northrop, M.S.
Middle School Director

Jan Northrop, M.S., has been at NSU University School since May of 2011 and has served as a Teaching Assistant, Classroom Teacher, Boys Lacrosse Program Director, Department Team Leader, Dean of Students, Dean of Student Services, and Master Scheduler. Prior to joining the team at USchool, he spent seven years in the corporate world doing sales, banking, and client management. Mr. Northrop holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Penn State University, where he was also a member of the lacrosse team and team captain, and a Masters in Teaching and Learning from NSU. His experience growing up in a military family, traveling the U.S. and the world, will serve him well as he begins this new chapter of his career leading the Middle School.

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Jaimie Crawford, M.Ed.
Upper School Director

Jaimie Crawford, M.Ed., has been at NSU University School for the past nine years and has served as English Department Chair, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Interim Upper School Director, and Director of Student Academic Services. Prior to her time at NSU University School, she has served as an English teacher and curriculum designer at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida; Pine Crest School, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Windsor High School in Windsor, California. Ms. Crawford holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling and a Masters in Arts in Literature, both from Florida Atlantic University. She has worked extensively with peer tutoring and writing centers and served leadership roles in the International Writing Center Association and the Southeastern Writing Center Association. Her expertise with curriculum, exceptional student education, academic leadership, technology integration, and experiential education will continue to be a tremendous asset to our entire school community.