ASSET Inc. -- a nonprofit organization fostering science education in kindergarten through eighth grade -- has named Helen Sobehart its new executive director, as a result of the upcoming retirement of Reeny Davison, the organization's founding executive director.

Dr. Sobehart, who most recently was president of Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee but began her career in Allegheny County, will arrive at ASSET on May 1. While Dr. Davison will retire on June 1, she will still serve as an adviser and advocate.

"Dr. Sobehart is a talented and respected leader with a spirit of service and a team approach. She brings with her 34 years of education and leadership experience that closely fits the needs and potential of ASSET at this important time," said Harry Goern, ASSET board president and a management consultant, in a news release today.

During her career, which began in 1969, Dr. Sobehart worked for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the North Hills School District as a special education teacher, and as assistant superintendent of the Fox Chapel Area School District, where she retired in 1997. She then directed the doctoral program in educational leadership and became associate provost and associate academic vice president of Duquesne University. She joined Cardinal Stritch University in 2008.

Dr. Davison, who has been with ASSET for 15 years, has led the organization as it grew from a pilot program in two school districts to a self-sustaining nonprofit organization that is helping more than 5,000 teachers and 142,000 students in 180 school districts.

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