R. David Gaudi Jr., Ed.D., Former Chairperson
Dr. David Gaudi represents the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and was the previous WASC chairperson. Dr. Gaudi has nearly 30 years of experience as a full-time educator. Prior to being appointed head of school at Saint Mark School in Kane‘ohe in 2007, he served for 14 years as a high school administrator and science/math instructor and was heavily involved in the school accreditation process.
Dr. Gaudi holds a B.A. in zoology, a M.Ed. in educational administration, and an Ed.D. in professional educational practice from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. He enjoys giving back to the university through his work advising masters’ and doctoral students and guest lecturing. He is currently an affiliate graduate faculty member advising doctoral students on their dissertation work.
Dr. Gaudi is a member of the board of directors for HAIS and the Hawaii Children’s Action Network (HCAN). He also serves as a member of three accreditation commissions: ACS WASC, NLSA, and HAIS. Dr. Gaudi received the 2011 Lux Christi Award given annually by Concordia University Portland to an outstanding Lutheran educator in the western half of the United States for significant contributions through leadership and service, and he was recently selected as the 2018 Administrator of the Year for the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. After growing up all over the U.S. mainland, Dr. Gaudi moved to Hawai‘i in 1986 and has called Hawai‘i home ever since.