William S. DeJong, Ph.D., REFP

Senior Advisor

Bill DeJong With more than 35 years of experience in education and facility planning, Bill is recognized nationally for his facilitation skills and ability to work with community groups to develop consensus.  Before becoming Senior Advisor at DeJONG-RICHTER, he served as President and CEO of DeJONG. On January 1, 2010, Bill transitioned responsibilities to associates who had gained valuable experience working with him for several years. Serving as Senior Advisor enables Bill to balance his time between facility planning and Schools for Children of the World, a non-profit organization he co-founded that works to improve school environments globally. 

Notable Educations Planning

  • District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC: Facility Master Plan
  • Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI: High School Educational Specifications, Facility Master Plan Update, Middle School Educational Specifications, Facility Master Plan Honduras:  Various national and local projects
  • Long Beach Unified School District, CA: Facility Master Plan, District-Wide Educational Specifications
  • Manassas City Public Schools, VA: Demographics, District-Wide Educational Specifications, Facility Master Plan
  • Massachusetts School Building Authority: Needs Survey Report
  • Montgomery Public Schools, AL: District-Wide Educational Specifications, Facility Study
  • New Orleans Public Schools, LA: Facility Master Plan
  • Ohio School Facilities Commission:  Facility Planning Assistance, 21st Century Learning Environments
  • Ottawa Intermediate School District, MI: Career Tech Plan
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools, PA:  Facility Master Plan
  • State of Arkansas: Statewide Facility Assessment
  • State of New Mexico: Educational Facility Adequacy Guidelines/GIS Planning,
  • Tanzania, Africa:  Grace Academy Project

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Education

  • Western Michigan University, Michigan Continuing Secondary Certificate B.A., Social Science and Sociology
  • Western Michigan University, M.A., Educational Leadership
  • University of Michigan, Ph.D., Education/Educational Administration


Achievements & Affiliations

  • Recognized Educational Facility Planner (REFP)
  • Member, Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), President, 1993-1994, P lanner of the Year, 1991
  • Harvard Guest Lecturer, 1994-2006
  • National School Board Foundation Board Trustee
  • Co-Founder, Schools for the Children of the World (SCW)

Recent Publications

  •  “Renovation of District Schools Revitalizes Grand Rapids Community” School Planning & Management,  
  •   February 2008
  • “Top Ten Trends in School Facility Planning,” Expert Opinion Article, June 2007
  • “State-of-the-Art Early Childhood Center Opens in Mason, Ohio,” Case Study, January 2007