SUPSI: Willi-Piezzi to lead teacher training department (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

Daniela Willi-Piezzi, currently Director of Basic Education, will take the helm of the Department of Formation and Learning from May 1, 2026. An internal choice focused on experience and dialogue.

Contesto

TL;DR - Daniela Willi-Piezzi named new SUPSI director of Formation and Learning - She will take office on May 1, 2026 - Willi-Piezzi has a long track record at SUPSI since 2005 ## Key facts - New Director: Daniela Willi-Piezzi - Start Date: May 1, 2026 - Current Role: Director of Basic Education since 2020 - Education: PhD in Economic Sciences from University of St. Gallen - Selection Process: Rigorous process with high-level candidates - Key Focus: Combating student dropouts and improving study-life balance - Community Engagement: Maintaining dialogue with Ticino school community An appointment marked by continuity and a deep knowledge of the Swiss university system. The SUPSI Council has officially announced the selection of Daniela Willi-Piezzi as the new director of the Department of Formation and Learning / University of Teacher Education (DFA/ASP). She will take office on May 1, 2026. Born in 1972, Willi-Piezzi is not a new face at the Ticino university. Her career within the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland began in 2005 as a professional lecturer, later becoming an adjunct professor in 2009. Since 2020, she has held the strategic role of Director of Basic Education, a mandate during which she has made a significant impact. Under her leadership, activities for monitoring and improving the quality of Bachelor's and Master's programs were enhanced, with a particular focus on combating student dropouts, a phenomenon affecting all Swiss universities. She also worked to improve the compatibility between studies, professional commitments, and students' private lives, a topic of great importance to many workers and families in the region. Her academic background is solid: a degree in Economic Sciences from the University of St. Gallen...

Dettagli operativi

The choice of Daniela Willi-Piezzi was not random but the result of a rigorous selection process that saw the participation of high-level candidates. This, as SUPSI itself emphasizes, confirms the prestige and strategic importance of a position that governs the training of future teachers in the Canton of Ticino, from kindergarten to middle school. ## The SUPSI Council's motivations What convinced the university's leadership? The official statement is clear. Willi-Piezzi's profile was chosen for her "undoubted professional, human, and leadership skills." But two elements seem to have been decisive: - Consolidated experience: Her long and relevant track record in the world of Swiss university education was a key factor. - Pragmatic vision: The clarity with which she presented her objectives and priorities for the first 18 months of her term impressed the Council. > The SUPSI Council particularly appreciated her desire to maintain a relationship based on constant dialogue with the Ticino school community, deepening direct knowledge, listening to its needs, and stimulating participation. This commitment to dialogue with the local community is fundamental. The quality of teacher training directly reflects on the quality of the cantonal school system, a matter of primary interest for all families, including those of the nearly 80,000 cross-border workers, whose children attend or may attend Ticino schools. Strong and communicative leadership at the DFA/ASP is a guarantee for the educational future of the region.

Punti chiave

This appointment represents a signal of stability for a sector, education, which is a fundamental pillar for the attractiveness and development of Canton Ticino. The choice of an internal figure, with deep knowledge of local and national dynamics, suggests a desire to consolidate past successes and to face future challenges with a pragmatic and collaborative approach. For cross-border workers, the health of the Ticino education system is an important parameter. Not only for those with children studying in Ticino, but also because a solid university like SUPSI contributes to training qualified professionals, stimulating innovation, and maintaining the high competitiveness of the local labor market. The leadership of the DFA/ASP plays a crucial role in this ecosystem, preparing the teachers who will shape the new generations of citizens and workers. ## Planning your own path A successful career like Willi-Piezzi's is built on competence, vision, and also a clear awareness of one's professional value. For those working in Ticino, understanding how one's salary compares to the market is a fundamental step for future planning. If you want a clear view of your economic potential, our net salary calculator is the ideal tool to analyze your payslip and compare different variables. Source: SUPSI, Ticinonline - February 24, 2026

Punti chiave

[{"q":"Who is the new director of the Department of Education and Learning / Higher School of Pedagogy (DFA/ASP) of SUPSI and when does her mandate begin?","a":"The new director is Daniela Willi-Piezzi, who begins her term on May 1, 2026. With a solid academic career, she has held key roles in SUPSI, including Director of Basic Education since 2020, improving the quality of studies and the reconciliation of study and private life."},{"q":"What is the impact of Daniela Willi-Piezzi's appointment on the Ticino school system for cross-border commuters?","a":"The appointment guarantees a dialoguing and pragmatic leadership, improving the quality of teacher training, reflecting positively on the Ticino school, of interest to the approximately 80,000 cross-border commuters with children at school in Ticino."},{"q":"What are the main objectives that Daniela Willi-Piezzi intends to pursue as the new director of the DFA/ASP of SUPSI?","a":"Willi-Piezzi aims to strengthen the monitoring of the quality of Bachelor's and Master's courses, reduce the abandonment of studies and improve the reconciliation between study, work and private life. In the first 18 months of his mandate, he has already outlined a pragmatic vision with clear objectives and a constant dialogue with the Ticino school world."},{"q":"How does the appointment of Willi-Piezzi affect the training of Ticino teachers for cross-border workers?","a":"His consolidated experience and direct knowledge of local dynamics guarantee quality teacher training, which is crucial for the children of cross-border commuters who attend Ticino schools. It also strengthens Ticino's attractiveness as an educational hub for cross-border families."},{"q":"What are the minimum requirements for teaching in Ticino schools after the DFA/ASP re...

Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new director of the Department of Education and Learning / Higher School of Pedagogy (DFA/ASP) of SUPSI and when does her mandate begin?
The new director is Daniela Willi-Piezzi, who begins her term on May 1, 2026. With a solid academic career, she has held key roles in SUPSI, including Director of Basic Education since 2020, improving the quality of studies and the reconciliation of study and private life.
What is the impact of Daniela Willi-Piezzi's appointment on the Ticino school system for cross-border commuters?
The appointment guarantees a dialoguing and pragmatic leadership, improving the quality of teacher training, reflecting positively on the Ticino school, of interest to the approximately 80,000 cross-border commuters with children at school in Ticino.
What are the main objectives that Daniela Willi-Piezzi intends to pursue as the new director of the DFA/ASP of SUPSI?
Willi-Piezzi aims to strengthen the monitoring of the quality of Bachelor's and Master's courses, reduce the abandonment of studies and improve the reconciliation between study, work and private life. In the first 18 months of his mandate, he has already outlined a pragmatic vision with clear objectives and a constant dialogue with the Ticino school world.
How does the appointment of Willi-Piezzi affect the training of Ticino teachers for cross-border workers?
His consolidated experience and direct knowledge of local dynamics guarantee quality teacher training, which is crucial for the children of cross-border commuters who attend Ticino schools. It also strengthens Ticino's attractiveness as an educational hub for cross-border families.
What are the minimum requirements for teaching in Ticino schools after the DFA/ASP reform led by Willi-Piezzi?
The requirements include the completion of a Bachelor's or Master's course at the DFA/ASP of SUPSI, with particular attention to the pedagogy and didactics modules. Willi-Piezzi has introduced higher quality monitoring standards to ensure up-to-date skills for teachers.

Related articles