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.
William Kopas, Ed.D.
Head of School
William Kopas, Ed.D., is in his eighth 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.
Head of School
William Kopas, Ed.D., is in his eighth 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.
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. Dr. Kaiyal returned to the Middle School in 2015 as the Director where she 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 oversees all curriculum development, school accreditations, and more.
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.
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. Mrs. Chancey first began teaching at USchool in the Bridges Program. 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/instruction, advisory, and counseling. Mrs. Chancey became Director of the Middle School in 2019. In her current role, she manages the daily operation of educational programs at the Preschool, serving NSU’s youngest sharks.
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. In her previous role, 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. Ms. Tobey has also served as a principal and teacher at Gulliver Schools, the Vice President of the Florida Kindergarten Council, and as a leader in the Florida Council of Independent Schools. She has done presentations on elementary education at many national conferences. Ms. Tobey is a progressive educator who is well-versed in the latest educational trends. She currently leads students in grades K-5 as the Lower School Director.
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 master's in Teaching and Learning from NSU. His experience growing up in a military family, traveling the U.S. and the world, serves him well in his role leading the Middle School.
Jaimie Crawford, M.Ed.
Upper School Director
Jaimie Crawford, M.Ed., has been Director of the Upper School at NSU University School for the past three years. Throughout her tenure here, she has served in numerous roles including English Department Chair, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Interim Upper School Director, and Director of Student Academic Services. Prior to her time at USchool, she served as an English teacher and curriculum designer at Berkeley Preparatory School, Pine Crest School, and Windsor High School. Ms. Crawford holds a master’s in Education and Counseling and a master's in Arts in Literature. Her expertise with curriculum, exceptional student education, academic leadership, technology integration, and experiential education is an asset to our entire school community.
Head of School's Board of Advisors
Jenea Reed, Chair
Richard Quadracci, Vice Chair
Kari Meran, UFO President
Rebecca Bratter
Ryan Case
Tonya Cornish
Lauren Geduld
Lia Janoff
Randy Katz
Niqui Kiffin
Matt Kuttler
Keith Poliakoff
Brett Rose
Ruben Salama
Danielle Scott
Tommy Smith
Daryl Szapiro
Yin Tea
Fabiola Valle
Scott Weiselberg, Ex-Officio