Mark Twain International School appoints new Managing Director as the founders shift their focus to strategic development

Mark Twain International School (MTIS), the first private educational institution in Romania offering a dual curriculum, is undergoing a leadership transition. The school has appointed Dr. Matthew D. Wilkens as the new Managing Director. Founders Anca and Dan Macovei Vlăsceanu, who have led the institution for 29 years, are stepping down from their executive roles to focus on the school's strategic development and national expansion plans in collaboration with partners from Morphosis Capital.

Dr. Matthew D. Wilkens has a strong background and extensive international experience in education and leadership. He holds a PhD in Global Leadership & Change from Pepperdine University, a 4-Year Certificate in School Leadership & Management from Harvard University; MA in Education and BSc in Business & Management from Pepperdine University; and a California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. In his previous experiences, he has served as Head of School at Westview School of Arts and Technology, Acting Director at Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance Schools, and Dean of Students at John Hopkins. Most recently, Dr. Wilkens served as a Superintendent for the 5 000 students at Dar Jana International Schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

„As of July, Dan and I have stepped down from our executive positions at Mark Twain International School to assume our new roles as Founding Directors of MTIS. In this capacity, we will focus on strategic development and national expansion plans, including developing a new Flagship Campus in Balotești and a new Cosmopolis Campus în Ștefăneștii de Jos, with construction set to begin soon for both. Additionally, we will continue to serve as CEOs of Mark Twain International Education and coordinate the Romania Education Alliance platform. This initiative aims to attract like-minded schools and enhance pre-university educational performance in Romania. Throughout this transition, we will continue to support the entire MTIS team. We are confident that Dr. Matthew D. Wilkens, with his experience, expertise, and dedication, will greatly contribute to the school's growth and success in the coming years”, said Anca Macovei Vlăsceanu, Founder Mark Twain IS & CEO Mark Twain International Education / Romania Education Alliance.

„As the new Director general/Head of School of Mark Twain International School, I am thrilled to build upon the strong foundation and remarkable achievements established by its distinguished founders. My goal is to uphold and promote core values, including global citizenship, innovative learning, and active participation in the school community. I aim to expand MTIS's influence nationally, both in my role as Director and as Superintendent within the Romania Education Alliance platform. We will focus on training future educational leaders with a global perspective and fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated teachers to encourage student-led research and adopt modern teaching methods. It is an honor to be part of the MTIS community, and I am committed to supporting innovation and academic excellence”, said