CHICAGO, January 6, 2026 — NORC at the University of Chicago is pleased to announce the addition of Sinton Soalablai as a principal research scientist in our Education & Child Development department.

Soalablai joins NORC with more than two decades of experience in education policy, teacher workforce development, and instructional improvement across the Pacific region. He previously served as minister of education for the Republic of Palau, where he led national reforms to strengthen teacher certification and recruitment and expanded the integration of technology in classrooms. Under his leadership, Palau enacted Public Law 10-32, which raised teacher preparation standards by requiring all teachers to hold an associate’s degree in education or their subject area.

“Sinton’s combination of policy leadership, research expertise, and on-the-ground experience in education systems makes him a tremendous asset to NORC,” said Jennifer Hamilton, senior vice president of Education & Child Development. “His work advancing evidence-based strategies to strengthen the teacher workforce and improve student learning aligns closely with our mission.”

“I’m excited to join NORC and contribute to research that directly informs education policy and practice,” said Soalablai. “NORC’s commitment to rigorous, actionable evidence offers an important opportunity to support educators and education systems in delivering high-quality learning experiences for all students.”

Soalablai joins NORC as the director of the Pacific West Comprehensive Center, bringing his expertise to support Pacific West jurisdictions in selecting, implementing, scaling, and sustaining evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions aimed at improving system coherence and education outcomes. He also serves as the lead for the Palau Partnership for REL Pacific. 

With Soalablai on board, NORC continues to strengthen our capacity to deliver policy-relevant research that supports effective teaching, learning, and workforce development.