2019-LeadershipConf 071019 draft 5pm

USC Rossier School of Education & Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group

Leadership Conference

July 25, 2019

Sponsored by



PROGRAM

2:30 p.m. Check-In Gregory A. Franklin ’83, EdD ’97
3:00 p.m. Welcome Superintendent
Tustin Unified School District
Sponsor
Remarks Schools First Credit Union
Keynote
Speaker Celebrating a Century of Leadership
Dean Karen Symms Gallagher
Breakout Session I Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean
Sessions USC Rossier School of Education
3:45–4:30 p.m.
Attendees will be able to participate in three breakout sessions.
4:45–5:30 p.m. Session II (We’ve provided 15 minutes to transition between sessions.)
5:45–6:30 p.m. Session III
6:30–7:30 p.m. Reception • Leadership & Collaboration in Higher Education
• Leading the Modern School District: How change management,

artificial intelligence, and deep learning will be skillsets of the
modern school or district administrator
• Pathways to Superintendent & CMO Leadership

• Disrupting the Status Quo: Women in the Superintendency
• Diverse Pathways in Educational Leadership
• Leadership Perspectives
• Pathways to School Site or District Leadership

• Educational Equity in L.A.: District leaders’ views and an emerging
research agenda

• Pathways to Teaching in Higher Education
• When Natural Disasters Strike: Leadership Lessons

WELCOME from the CHAIR

Dear Trojans and Friends:

On behalf of the Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) I am pleased
to welcome you to the 2019 Leadership Conference!

The Rossier School of Education is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year,
and Karen Symms Gallagher will begin serving her 20th year as its Dean this
fall. Both are worthy of great celebration. Rossier has grown up with Los Angeles, providing
teachers, counselors, and administrators for the area’s growing school systems. Under Dean
Gallagher’s leadership Rossier has continued to evolve with a focus on urban educational
issues, diversity, women in leadership, and preparing educators who can lead through the
most trying times. This year’s Leadership Conference addresses these issues head on. Equity
and access, crisis management, organizational culture, networking, and career pathways
will be discussed by experts in their fields. Educators and the students we serve will be the
beneficiaries.

Thanks to Dean Karen Symms Gallagher, and all of the presenters and facilitators for sharing
their expertise. And, a special thank you to Schools First Credit Union for their sponsorship of
this year’s conference.

We appreciate you maintaining your connection to USC and Rossier and contributing to the
Trojan Family network.

Fight On!

Gregory A. Franklin ’83, EdD ’97
Chair, DSAG
Superintendent, Tustin Unified School District

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Celebrating a Century of Leadership

Dean Karen Symms Gallagher

Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean
USC Rossier School of Education

Karen Symms Gallagher is the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the USC Rossier School of
Education. Under her leadership, the school has risen to #10 among all graduate schools of education
in the country according to U.S. News & World Report’s national rankings. USC Rossier’s highly innovative
master’s and doctoral programs prepare leaders to achieve educational equity through practice,
research and policy.
Dean Gallagher’s distinguished career has established her reputation as one who transforms educational organizations to
successfully achieve their goals. In 2009, USC Rossier launched its groundbreaking online Master of Arts in Teaching program,
the first of its kind from a major research university. Eight years later, the on-ground and online MAT programs have graduated
3,800 highly prepared teachers from around the country and the world, the majority of whom are teaching in hard-to-staff
schools. For MAT students’ fieldwork, the program partners with almost 5,000 individual schools and 1,850 districts.
USC Rossier also launched a revolutionary education doctorate for practitioners under Dean Gallagher’s leadership. The
EDL program, now a national model, engages students in real problems of practice in schools and districts. USC Rossier’s
Global Executive EdD is preparing administrators worldwide for 21st-century education leadership. In January 2015, the
school launched the first online education doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership, preparing educators to
affect learning in nontraditional environments, including corporations, the military and nonprofits.
Dean Gallagher is a leader of the USC Rossier team that opened USC Hybrid High School in September 2012. This LAUSD
public charter school, of which the dean chairs the oversight board, uses technology in a fully blended and rigorous
curriculum along with self-paced learning to assure that 100 percent of its graduates are accepted into a four-year
university. About 80 percent of the students, mirroring USC’s urban neighborhood, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch,
an indicator of children living in poverty. The network is run by Ednovate, a charter management company founded by USC
Rossier, and has now expanded to five high schools in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
In 2007, Dean Gallagher led the effort to bring Math for America to Los Angeles in an effort to address the shortage of
quality math teachers in the area. Math for America LA provides teacher preparation, stipends and ongoing professional
development and support for its teaching fellows over a five-year period.
Dean Gallagher has been a professor, scholar and academic administrator at both public and private research universities
throughout the United States. Before joining USC, she was the dean of education at the University of Kansas and prior to
Kansas, she directed Ohio’s Commission on Educational Improvement. She has published four books: Shaping School
Policy: A Guide to Choices, Politics and Community Relations (1992), Politics of Education Yearbook: The Politics of Teacher
Preparation Reform (2000), College Bound (2010), and Urban Education: A Model for Leadership and Policy (2011). She has
also written dozens of scholarly articles for publications such as Educational Policy, Research in Higher Education and Early
Education and Development. She is currently chair of the board of directors of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator
Preparation (CAEP), the nation’s only teacher-accreditation organization.

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SPEAKER CONTACT INFORMATION

First Name Last Name Email Address
Shelly Adams [email protected]
Nicole Assisi [email protected]
Patricia Brent-Sanco [email protected]
Manuel Burciaga [email protected]
Lauren Casella [email protected]
Dave Cash [email protected]
Rudy Castruita [email protected]
Ann Chavez [email protected]
James Colon [email protected]
Rocke DeMark [email protected]
Vivian Ekchian [email protected]
Mike Escalante [email protected]
Chuck Flores [email protected]
Carmella Franco [email protected]
Greg Franklin [email protected]
Susan Friedman [email protected]
Paul Gothold [email protected]
Michael Gotto [email protected]
Robert Haley [email protected]
Dan Hirsch [email protected]
Cathy Kawaguchi [email protected]
Doug Kimberly [email protected]
Akilah Lyons-Moore [email protected]
Julie Marsh [email protected]
Cheryl Marshall [email protected]
Brandon Martinez [email protected]
Mary McNeil [email protected]
Froilan Mendoza [email protected]
Melissa Moore [email protected]
Maria Ott [email protected]
Benjamin Quiñones, Jr. [email protected]
John Roach [email protected]
Shawn Smith [email protected]
Raquel Torres Retana [email protected]

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3:45–4:30 p.m.

Leadership & Collaboration in Higher Education 3:45–4:30 p.m. Room: Victory A

Our panel of seasoned higher education administrators will share their thoughts on current trends impacting
student affairs and discuss the importance of cross-campus collaboration to meet these challenges.

Moderator: TBD, Position
Panelists: Rocke DeMark ME ’08, EdD ’11, Associate Dean of Student and Academic Affairs, Chapman
University School of Pharmacy
Dan Hirsch ME ’09, Dean of Campus Life, Pitzer College
Raquel Torres Retana EdD ’07, Director, Rosemead Site, Pasadena City College

TBD ’00 universities such as California State University, Northridge; UCLA; and California State University, Los
Angeles. Vazquez is a frequent speaker on competitive college preparation and undergraduate persistence and
has presented for such organizations as The College Board, Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Confer-
ence, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, NASPA, and the National Council for Com-
munity & Education Partnerships. Vazquez’s NASPA involvement includes being on the Region V Advisory Board
universities such as California State University, Northridge; UCLA; and California State University, Los Angeles. Vazquez is a
frequent speaker on competitive college preparation and undergraduate persistence and has presented for such.
Rocke DeMark ME ’08, EdD ’11 is the associate dean of student and academic affairs at Chapman University
School of Pharmacy. He is responsible for assisting the respective associate deans with the oversight of the
daily operations of student, academic, and clinical affairs operations; providing management and support for
student services; administering business operation functions, student recruitment and retention; and oversight of
administrative operations. Rocke previously served as director of Master’s programs and assistant director in the
EdD program at USC Rossier.
Dan Hirsch ME ’09 serves as the dean of campus life at Pitzer College where he is primarily responsible for the
integration of the academic and co-curricular experiences of Pitzer students. Dan works to ensure that Pitzer’s
co-curricular programs focus on student learning in congruence with the college’s education objectives and develops
assessment strategies to measure co-curricular student learning outcomes. In addition to his administrative respon-
sibilities, Dan is also an adjunct instructor in both the Gender & Feminist Studies and Sociology departments where
he teaches courses titled “The Construction of Contemporary Masculinity” and “Leadership and Social Change.” Prior to Pitzer, Dan
worked at Colby College in Maine and Grinnell College in Iowa. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Carleton College, his master’s
degree at the University of Southern California and his PhD at Colorado State University.

Raquel Torres Retana EdD ’07 has served as director for the Pasadena City College satellite campus PCC
Rosemead, located in the district’s southeastern portion, in the city of Rosemead since 2015. As the inaugural
chief administrator, she oversees academic programs and student support services for over 5,000 enrolled
students. Raquel has been instrumental in identifying the needs of the students, expanding key student ser-
vices, opening a Student Center, implementing a first-year college program, and identifying academic programs
at PCC Rosemead that lead to a certificate, degree and or transfer completion. In addition, she works closely with the assistant
superintendent – community education (off-campus locations) on special projects and serves on several campus-wide com-
mittees. Raquel previously worked at USC as an associate dean with USC Student Affairs and as director for the Office of
Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. She also serves as an adjunct professor at USC Rossier. An educator with
over 25 years of experience in a variety of settings, Raquel remains committed to educational equity and social justice.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3:45–4:30 p.m.

Leading the Modern School District: Room: Champion A
How change management, artificial intelligence,
and deep learning will be skillsets of the modern
school or district administrator 3:45–4:30 p.m.

Join district leaders and industry experts as they engage in dialogue about the modernization of learning.
How does innovation continue to extend the student experience? In this session, we will explore how
artificial intelligence is shaping the future of learning, discuss what effective change management
means in today’s political culture, and learn how technology software can create economies of scale for
transitioning traditional classrooms into modern learning environments.

Presenters: Ann Chavez EdD ’10, Co-Founder and VP, Growth & Innovation, Modern Teacher
Shawn Smith EdD ’05, Chief Executive Officer, Modern Teacher

Ann Chavez EdD ’10 is an author, innovator and entrepreneur dedicated to re-designing the student experience in
public education. She is currently serving as a founding partner and chief academic officer of Modern Teacher.
Modern Teacher supports school districts in the transformation to modern learning at scale through the digital
convergence framework. Collectively, Modern Teacher’s national network is paving the way for the imperative
cultural shift in K-12 education to increase our agility as an industry, and create an aligned dynamic between
student outcomes and the demands of life after K-12. Formerly, Ann served as teacher, principal, special education director and
deputy of curriculum, assessment, and instruction for over 22 years in Southern California and Chicago.
Shawn Smith EdD ’05 is the chief executive officer of Modern Teacher and a national leader on issues
surrounding digital education and pedagogy. Described as an “education futurist,” Shawn is an author, speaker,
consultant and rare book collector. He has one of the largest private collections of John Dewey’s writings in
the world. Shawn has authored four books on education: Teacher as Architect: Instructional design and delivery
for the modern teacher; The New Agenda: Achieving personalized learning through digital convergence; The
Shape of Change: The continued journey of the Digital Convergence Framework; and Wisdom and Influence: Mastering the Digital
Convergence Framework. His fifth book, The Automation of Learning: Artificial intelligence, machine-human collaboration, and
a new generation of American teachers is due out in 2020. Formerly, Shawn was a teacher, principal and chief of schools for 15
years in school districts in Illinois and California. Shawn holds a board seat at The Futures Institute and has made appearances
on both Discovery and The Learning Channel as well as on various radio, web and podcast programs.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3:45–4:30 p.m.

Pathways to Superintendent & CMO Leadership 3:45–4:30 p.m. Room: Victory B

Becoming a superintendent or leading a charter management organization requires extensive experience
and demonstrated areas of success. This panel includes veteran and new organizational leaders who will
discuss their respective roles and the career paths that prepared them for these demanding positions.

Moderator: Rudy Castruita EdD ’82, Irving R. and Virginia Archer Melbo Chair in Education Administration,
Panelists: USC Rossier School of Education
Michael Escalante EdD ’02, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
Shelley Adams EdD ’17, Superintendent, Baldy View Regional Occupational Program
Nicole Assisi EdD ’10, Founder and CEO, Thrive Public Schools
Froilan Mendoza EdD ’17, Superintendent, Baldwin Park Unified School District

Rudy Castruita EdD ’82 served as the San Diego County superintendent of schools for 12 years. Prior to that,
he was superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District. He was named California’s Superintendent of
the Year and received the Marcus Foster Award from the Association of California School Administrators, that
organization’s highest honor. He served as past-president of the California County Superintendents Educational
Services Association (CCSESA) and the California Urban Superintendents. He currently serves on the State
Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Implementing the Public School Accountability Act of 1999, the Governance Task
Force of the state committee to develop a Master Plan for Education, the California Reading First Initiative Leadership Team,
and was chair of the statewide Language Arts Task Force to Develop Standards for High School Graduates. Most recently,
Castruita was appointed to the State’s Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism by the State’s Legislators.
Michael Escalante EdD ’02 has spent more than three decades in public education. Prior to USC, Escalante
served as superintendent of Glendale and Fullerton Joint Union High School Districts. Before his superintendent
positions, Escalante served as an assistant superintendent of business, a principal at all K-12 levels and as
an elementary and high school teacher. At Rossier, Escalante teaches doctoral courses and participates in
recruitment and conversion events for the EdD program. He chairs doctoral committees, and this year he
organized an international study of Intel partnership schools in Costa Rica. He has an active role in the Dean’s Superintendents
Advisory Group (DSAG), consults with the Master of Arts in Teaching program and serves as the liaison between the program and
school districts throughout the U.S. He also consults with school boards in the recruitment and hiring of superintendents.
Shelley Adams EdD ’17 has been superintendent of Baldy View Regional Occupational Program (ROP),
located in west San Bernardino County, since 2012. Baldy View ROP is a joint powers authority (JPA) providing
career technical education to nearly 7,000 high school and middle school students annually among
partnering school districts — Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Chino Valley, Claremont, and Upland
Unified School Districts — since 1972. Shelley began her career in the private sector in human resources and
retail banking before transitioning to education. She worked for LAUSD for 10 years in a variety of teaching and non-
teaching positions within the Division of Adult and Career Education. Shelley accepted her first administrative position as
adult programs coordinator with Mission Valley ROP in the East Bay area of Fremont, Calif and was promoted to director of
educational services in 2008.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3:45–4:30 p.m.

Nicole Tempel Assisi EdD ’10 is the founder and CEO of Thrive Public Schools, a breakthrough charter model
for project-based and personalized learning. Assisi and her work have been nationally recognized in Education
Week and other online publications for innovations in education. Assisi’s work has been backed and supported
by national education foundations like Gates, Broad, Walton and Girard, to name a few. Assisi teaches and
mentors new school leaders as a professor for the Charter School Policy, Finance, and Administration Certifi-
cate Program at UCLA, the Charter and Autonomous School Leadership Academy at Cal State Dominguez Hills and the Uni-
versity of San Diego. Assisi was a board member for the Goethe International Charter School and also served on the Advisory
Board for the UCLA Extension Program. She is a frequent speaker at statewide and regional conferences on charter schools and
education reform. As a USC alum and a mother, equity, choice and access are core to her personal and professional mission.
Froilan Mendoza EdD ’17 is superintendent of Baldwin Park Unified School District and has been a profes-
sional educator in California public schools since 1990. He started his career as a substitute teacher in the
Jurupa Unified School District before shifting to counseling and administrative posts for the Los Angeles
County Office of Education. Froilan came to Baldwin Park Unified in 2000 as coordinator of early childhood
education. He served as associate superintendent from 2010–2015. Baldwin Park Unified serves 12,500
students with 12 elementary schools, two junior highs, two middle schools, a 3-8 campus, two comprehensive high schools
and a continuation high school. The district is recognized for its award-winning dual-language, early childhood education,
and adult and community education programs. In recent years, the district launched classes in engineering and robotics,
created STEM labs, technology-infused classrooms and a high-tech high school library.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 4:45–5:30 p.m.

Disrupting the Status Quo: 4:45–5:30 p.m. Room: Victory B
Women in the Superintendency

The 2018 California Superintendent of the Year, newly appointed Superintendent of the Glendale Unified
School District, and two successful retired superintendents will share how they used their positions to
disrupt the status quo. Each served as a “first woman” superintendent and used the influence of their
positions to change the conversation about leadership, equity, and impact. A panel format will reveal the
success secrets of these amazing women.

Presenters Vivian Ekchian EdD ’19, Superintendent, Glendale Unified School District
Carmella Franco, Superintendent Search Consultant, Hazard Young Attea & Associates
Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96, Superintendent, Needles Unified School District
Maria Ott PhD ’94, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education

Vivian Ekchian EdD ’19 is a 30+ year urban school district educator with a proven track record of
implementing reform in complex systems. Her refined ability to develop leadership and talent, focus internal
and external stakeholders on a common goal, and build coherence has benefited countless students,
families, communities and staff members. Much of her success stems from her life experiences including
a multi-cultural upbringing and journey to Southern California as an immigrant. Since July 1, 2019, Vivian
has been serving as the superintendent of Glendale Unified School District. Prior to joining Glendale Unified, Vivian
spent 34 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation serving nearly
600,000 Pre-K through adult student learners across 1,100+ schools and centers. Vivian has dedicated her career to
serving students, educators and communities in a variety of roles, including teacher assistant, teacher, principal, director
of instruction, chief of staff, chief human resources officer, chief labor negotiator, local district superintendent, associate
superintendent, deputy superintendent and now superintendent.

Carmella Franco has spent more than 40 years in education, during which time she served as a curriculum
specialist, a principal, head of a personnel department, and 12 years as superintendent of the Whittier
City School District. Following retirement, she was named interim superintendent of two districts, one in
northern and one in southern California, and was appointed by the State Board of Education (SBE) as state
trustee of a take-over school district in Monterey County. The SBE recognized her expertise in working
successfully with districts facing difficult challenges, both fiscal and academic. Carmella has been committed to the
professional good of colleagues in organizations at the local, statewide and national levels. She recently completed 14 years
as director of the ACSA Superintendents’ Academy, South. Carmella has served as a superintendent search consultant
for the past fifteen years and is presently with Hazard Young Attea & Associates. She has been in the role of president
of a number of organizations, including California City School Superintendents and California Association of Latino
Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), and was a founding member of the Association of Latino Administrators and
Superintendents (ALAS). Additionally, she has served as a past chairperson of the YMCA of Greater Whittier, and currently is
serving as president of the Rio Hondo College Foundation. She co-authored a book titled A Culturally Proficient Society Begins
in School: Leadership for Equity with colleagues Drs. Maria Ott and Darline Robles, and has presented extensively on a variety
of topics. Carmella presently is focusing on work as a governance consultant and adviser with select school boards and
superintendents in California.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 4:45–5:30 p.m.

Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96 has served as the superintendent of the Needles Unified School District on
the California, Arizona and Nevada border for the past 5 years. In this role, she has worked with city, state,
and federal agencies to develop programs that meet the educational and economic needs of the unique
communities in this desert region. In her current role as superintendent, Mary strives to provide ALL students
equity and access to quality educational programs to support individual achievement and college & career
readiness, regardless of economic or regional barriers. ACSA recognized Mary as the California State Superintendent of the
Year for 2018 and as ACSA State Central Office Administrator of the Year in 2012. Mary has over 38 years in education that
includes small and middle-sized school districts, as well as the urban Los Angeles Unified School District at site, region and
district levels. As a pioneer in California’s bilingual programs, Mary worked closely with state experts to initiate and implement
effective primary language and dual immersion programs. Mary is an adjunct assistant professor with the USC Rossier’s
School Leadership Academy and is a faculty member for the EIA K-12 Chief Information Officer Technology Program. She is
actively involved in statewide organizations currently serving as the ACSA state chairperson for the Small School District
Committee and Region 12 Women’s Leadership Network Chair. She has also served on the board of the California Association
of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) and as a mentor in the CALSA Mentoring Program.
Maria Ott PhD ’94 joined USC Rossier in October 2012 as an executive in residence, teaching graduate-
level courses and participating in Rossier initiatives. She currently serves as professor of clinical education.
Previously, Maria served more than seven years as superintendent of the Rowland Unified School District,
leading the district through major instructional improvement initiatives and modernization of facilities. She
is nationally known for establishing partnerships with private foundations in support of Rowland Unified and
its strategic plan and efforts to reach high levels of literacy and raise student achievement, placing Rowland Unified on
the national stage and forefront of educational transformation movements. Prior to joining Rowland Unified, Maria served
five years as the senior deputy superintendent in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), second in authority to
Superintendent Roy Romer. She returned to LAUSD in 2000 after seven years as the superintendent of the Little Lake City
School District, serving the cities of Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, and southeastern Downey. Prior to her appointment as
superintendent of Little Lake, Maria worked in LAUSD as a teacher, principal and central office administrator in the Office
of Instruction. Her accomplishments included improving student achievement as a principal and national recognition
for her leadership in improving educational outcomes and programs for English language learners. Her work on cultural
proficiency is detailed in her book, A Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School: Leadership for Equity, with co-authors
Carmella S. Franco and Darline P. Robles. Maria has presented to national audiences on the topic of her book and continues
to contribute to the educational literature about the importance of cultural proficiency in closing achievement gaps.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 4:45–5:30 p.m.

Diverse Pathways in Educational Leadership 4:45–5:30 p.m. Room: Victory A

Are you curious about what other direction your experience, competencies and passion for education can
take you? Hear from a diverse array of leaders who set out in one direction but embraced a different opportu-
nity to make a positive impact in education.

Moderator: Melissa Moore EdD ’14, Superintendent, El Segundo Unified School District
Panelists: Susan Friedman MS ’10, EdD ’13, Senior Instructional Systems Designer, Boeing
Brandon Martinez BA ’95, EdD ’09, Director, Learning Development, Noodle Partners
Benjamin Quiñones, Jr. MS TESOL ’10, Consultant – Player Development, Los Angeles Dodgers

Melissa Moore EdD ’14 has been serving as superintendent of El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD) since
2014. The focus of Melissa’s work in ESUSD has been on improving student achievement while fostering an
educational culture that values innovation to ensure students possess the competencies necessary to prepare
them for the jobs of the future. Prior to her superintendency, Melissa served 25 years in Yucaipa-Calimesa as
an assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal and teacher. Melissa has received the Personnel
Administrator of the Year from the Association of California School Administrators in 2010. In 2018, she was selected as ACSA
Region 14 Superintendent of the Year and Honorary Commander for the Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Susan Friedman MS ’10, EdD ’13 is a senior instructional designer at Boeing where she analyzes performance
problems and creates innovative solutions to achieve employee success and improve business outcomes.
Working within the corporate human resources learning organization, Susan supports both enterprise and
functional initiatives. Prior to joining Boeing, Susan created learning and development solutions and
analyzed global instructional content at Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Susan is a member of the USC Rossier
Learning Design & Technology Program Advisory Board.
Brandon Martínez EdD ’09 is the director, learning development at Noodle Partners, Inc. where he works with
several universities and instructional design firms to build world-class online courses. He has taught at USC
consecutively since July 2009 for the Rossier School of Education and a stint at the Ostrow School of Dentistry.
He was a part of the initial teaching faculty for the online MAT and helped build several of the online courses in
the MAT and doctoral programs. His teaching expertise is in educational psychology and teacher education and
his research is in the area of online learning, educational technology, and motivation. He got his first higher education teaching
experience serving as a graduate assistant for Dr. Robert Rueda who was also his dissertation chair. Brandon is a lifelong
Trojan, having earned his bachelor and doctorate degrees from USC.
Benjamin Quiñones, Jr. MS TESOL ’10 is in his fourth season as a consultant in player development with the
Los Angeles Dodgers. He works directly with the Latin American players in the Dodgers’ minor league system
guiding these young professional athletes in their linguistic and social development. Benjamin provides
translation services, teaches English as a second language, delivers lessons on basic financial management
and plans community outreach activities.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 4:45–5:30 p.m.

Leadership Perspectives 4:45–5:30 p.m. Room: Champion A

What defines a leader? How do you know if you’re ready or prepared to assume a leadership role in an
organization? In this session, you will hear from three dynamic and influential leaders in K-12, higher
education and corporate who are invested in the success of their organizations. Each panelist will share
their experience as transformative leaders and their leadership philosophy.

Moderator: Greg Franklin BA ’83, EdD ’97, Superintendent, Tustin Unified School District
Panelists: James Colon EdD ’17, Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer, Children’s Institute, Inc.
Paul Gothold EdD ’17, Superintendent, San Diego County Office of Education
Cheryl Marshall EdD ’01, Chancellor, North Orange County Community College District

Gregory A. Franklin ’83, EdD ’97 has been serving as superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District
since July 1, 2011. He has worked in public education for the past 34 years. He is chair of the USC Rossier
School of Education Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG). Among his accomplishments, Greg was
named California and Orange County Superintendent of the Year for 2014, received Golden Bell Awards by
the California School Boards Association for various curriculum programs, and the Junior Achievement of
Southern California’s Teacher of the Year Award for his work with students and applied economics courses.
James Colon EdD ’17 is senior vice president and chief people officer at Children’s Institute, Inc. He joined the
Children’s Institute, Inc. team in 2015 and offered strategic leadership in the areas of talent acquisition and
development, as well as workforce and project management. His department supports strategic change and
staff development while identifying business needs, introducing creative solutions, and implementing pro-
grams for organizational growth. While James has worked in many different industries, his passion remains in
the nonprofit sector.
Paul Gothold EdD ’17 is superintendent of schools for the San Diego County Office of Education. Paul has been a
champion for equity and historically underserved students throughout his 25-year career. Before being appointed
to his current position in 2017, he was superintendent of Lynwood Unified, which serves a student population
that is 96% students of color, with more than 94% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches. At
Lynwood, his work with the board, teachers, staff, parents, and the community resulted in a 35-percentage point
increase in the graduation rate. The district was also named AP District of the Year for simultaneously and continuously raising
the number of students taking Advanced Placement classes and improving passing rates on AP exams. Paul has also served as an
adjunct professor at Whittier University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and an instructor for the National
Association of School Superintendents’ Social Justice Academy.
Cheryl Marshall EdD ’01 has been the chancellor of the North Orange County Community College District
since 2016. She has long been an advocate of student success and collaborative decision-making. Cheryl has
over 25 years of experience in higher education, including serving as president, vice president of instruction,
director of professional and organizational development, and adjunct faculty. A well-rounded educator, she
has taught undergraduate and graduate courses specializing in management, organizational behavior, and
human resource development. A woman of vision, Cheryl has succeeded in championing organizational change during her first
three years at NOCCCD, including helping to build capacity for evidence-based decision making, establishing a district-wide
Leadership Academy, and providing support for the North Orange Promise Program. She currently represents Orange County on
the Community College CEO Task Force addressing changes to the funding formula. Cheryl was inducted into California State
University, San Bernardino’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Hall of Fame, and, in 2014, she was selected by Senator
Mike Morrell as a Woman of Distinction.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 4:45–5:30 p.m.

Pathways to School Site or District Leadership 5:45–6:30 p.m. Room: Victory B

Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or in a support role, how do you know if school site or district
leadership is the right career path for you? Our panel of school and district administrators will share how they
successfully pursued their roles in school administration.

Moderator: Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’14, Superintendent, Sulphur Springs Unified School District
Panelists: Patricia Brent-Sanco EdD ’16, Director of Equity, Lynwood Unified School District
Manuel Burciaga EdD ’17, Principal, Covina Valley Unified School District
Michael Gotto EdD ’14, Director, Human Resources, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District

Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’14 has been in the educational field for over 30 years. Currently, Catherine has been
the superintendent for the Sulphur Springs Union School District for the past five years. Her district is an elemen-
tary district, composed of nine award-winning schools, in the city of Santa Clarita located in Los Angeles County.
Prior to her position as superintendent, she served as an assistant superintendent of educational services in a
K-8 District, principal of a Title I school, and was a teacher for 15 years before entering administrative positions in
Ventura County. Throughout her career, Catherine has continued to promote a culture of collaboration, support, and collegiality
among all stakeholders, and is committed to partnering with staff, parents and community members to enhance and promote
excellence for all students.
Patricia Brent-Sanco EdD ’16 has been part of the education community for over 23 years. She is currently the
director of equity, access, and instructional services for the Lynwood Unified School District (LUSD). In her
role she is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the LUSD equity plan,
cultural proficiency professional development, equity services for parents and students, federal and state
compliance, LCAP development, categorical budgets, migrant education, EL assessment, after-school and
enrichment programs, as well as subgroup data analysis. Patricia served as a successful middle school teacher, assistant
principal as well as both elementary and middle school principal. She was the recipient of the 2014 Los Angeles County
Child Support Services Educator Award, and the PTA Golden Oak Award—their highest honor. In 2015 Patricia co-founded
the Unity Networking Organization for African American Female Educators. She is currently the CEO of The Lighthouse
Educational Consulting Group.
Manuel Burciaga EdD ’17 has served as an educator for 20 years. He began his educational career in the state
of Idaho as a high school teacher and has spent the last 18 years in the Covina-Valley Unified School District as a
teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and currently as principal of Northview High School. Manuel
wrote his dissertation on “Leadership and 1:1 technology implementation: considering teacher self-efficacy in
the implementation process.” He was a recipient of the 2017 USC Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group
(DSAG) Scholarship. His goal is to one day become a successful superintendent.
Michael Gotto EdD ’14 is the first in his family to graduate from college and has been serving in the field of
education since 2004. He taught high school for several years in various districts before becoming a dean of
students, assistant principal, and principal, all in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District. For the past
two years, Michael has been serving as the director of human resources in the same district. In this role, he
engages with employee associations to resolve employee concerns, serves as the district’s uniform complaint
officer, and supports the assistant superintendent of human resources in the overall operations of the division.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 5:45–6:30 p.m.

Educational Equity in L.A.: District leaders’ 5:45–6:30 p.m. Room: Champion A
views and an emerging research agenda

How are school districts advancing equity in their schools? What are the biggest challenges they face, what
strategies are they using, and how do they understand equity? The USC Rossier Center on Education Policy,
Equity and Governance spoke to over 140 school and district leaders and community advocates to better
understand what educational equity looks like on the ground in Los Angeles, and where researchers can
provide insight to move equity forward in schools.

Presenter: Julie Marsh, Professor of Education; Co-Director, Center on Education Policy, Equity and
Governance, USC Rossier School of Education

Julie Marsh is a professor of education policy at USC Rossier, co-director for the Center on Education Policy,
Equity and Governance, and faculty director for the Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE). She
specializes in research on K-12 policy and governance, blending perspectives in education, sociology, and
political science. Her work has focused on accountability and instructional policy, with particular attention
to the process and politics of adoption and implementation, and the ways in which policies shape practice in
urban settings. This has included studies of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and NCLB-waiver systems, school
turnaround, teacher evaluation policy, literacy coaches, and math and science curricular reforms. One cross-cutting focus
of this work relates to how teachers and administrators use data to inform their practice. A second major strand of her
research examines educational governance and efforts to decentralize and democratize decision-making. These studies
investigate school choice policy, participatory reforms calling for stakeholder engagement, efforts to provide greater local
control over school finance, and “portfolio” reforms that diversify management of school operations. Prior to coming to USC
in July 2010, Marsh was at the RAND Corporation where she last served as Senior Policy Researcher. She received a Ph.D. in
Education Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University, a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of
California at Berkeley, and a B.A. in American Studies from Stanford University.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 5:45–6:30 p.m.

Pathways to Teaching in Higher Education 5:45–6:30 p.m. Victory A

Are you interested in teaching in a university setting? From tenure-track teaching opportunities to clinical
professorships and adjunct positions, there are several options available. Hear from current faculty members
as they share their advice on getting hired, balancing the demands of teaching and tips for success.

Moderator: Dave Cash EdD ’08, Executive in Residence, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists: Lauren Casella EdD ’18, Assistant Clinical Faculty and Program Director, Loyola Marymount University
Charles Flores EdD ’10, Assistant Professor of Educational Administration, California State University-
Los Angeles
Akilah Lyons-Moore MAT ’10, EdD ’14, Assistant Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School
of Education

Dave Cash EdD ’08 is an executive in residence at USC Rossier. In this role, he serves as the EDL Governance Chair
and is working with faculty on the launch of the revised EDL program. Dave oversees the work of the Rossier EDL
Faculty Governance Committee, which consists of representatives from each of the four concentrations. He is the
course coordinator for two courses in the EDL program: Leadership and Leadership Enactment. Dave was in K-12
education for over 28 years where he was the superintendent of four school districts (most recently Santa Barbara
Unified); a principal at the elementary, junior high and senior high school levels; an elementary and high school general and
special education teacher. Prior to education he was a trial lawyer and the managing partner of a law firm. Over his career, he’s
won honors for his work as a trial lawyer, his work as a teacher and his work as a school district administrator.

Lauren Casella EdD ’18 serves Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education as an associate clinical
professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Administration and academic program director for
the Catholic School Leadership Academy (CSLA) program. In this role, Lauren oversees program curriculum and
course design, hires and supports CSLA faculty, serves on EdD dissertation committees, executes recruitment
efforts, and fosters key partnerships with superintendents, diocesan departments of Catholic schools, and
Catholic funding organizations from across the country. She teaches and oversees an online certificate in Catholic School
Administration, and recently authored a new online MA in Catholic Educational Leadership. She works in coordination with
LMU’s Center for Catholic Education and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools to lead research
projects. In this role, she also presents at the National Catholic Education Association conferences. Prior to joining LMU
full-time, she served LMU as a part-time faculty lecturer teaching courses in curriculum and instructional leadership in face-to-
face, hybrid and online courses. Before entering higher ed, Lauren served in the Chicago Archdiocese for ten years as a
teacher, administrator and principal.

Charles Flores EdD ’10 is a tenure-track, assistant professor of educational administration with the Charter
College of Education/Applied and Advanced Studies in Education at California State University Los Angeles
where he works with masters and administrative services credential candidates. Chuck has been an educator
for over forty years. He has served as a teacher, bilingual coordinator, dean of students, assistant principal,
principal and coordinator of operations for the Los Angeles Unified School District; and was the director of high
schools, principal leadership and support with the San Francisco Unified School District. Chuck began his tenure in higher
education with UCLA’s Principal Leadership Institute in 2007 as a guest lecturer before joining the faculty as an instructor. He
has also taught at San Francisco State University, the University of San Francisco, and served as a lecturer, leadership coach
and research advisor for masters’ candidates with the Principal Leadership Institute at the University of California Berkeley
from 2014‒2018.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 5:45–6:30 p.m.

Akilah Lyons-Moore MAT ’10, EdD ’14 is an assistant professor of clinical education in the Master of Arts in
Teaching (MAT) program at USC Rossier. She serves on the MAT Governance Committee, representing the
secondary single subject concentrations, the MAT Course Coordinator’s Committee as the history-social science
course coordinator, and is a faculty member on the Leading Instructional Change EDL Committee. Akilah is
especially interested in preparing teachers to plan and facilitate meaningful learning experiences that are
academically rigorous for historically marginalized students of color. Through her love of history, politics and culture, she
believes that a relevant and rigorous K-12 education for historically marginalized students is a key contributor to creating a
more equitable society. As a result, she is passionate about how theories of learning and critical pedagogies equip teachers
with the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that foster academic success of historically underserved students. Prior to her
appointment at USC, Akilah was an administrator at a top-performing charter school in the San Fernando Valley. Prior to
entering charter school administration, she was a high school history-social science teacher where she was also the chair of
the History-Social Science Department and a member of a District Culturally Relevant Committee.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS 5:45–6:30 p.m.

When Natural Disaster Strikes: Leadership Lessons 5:45–6:30 p.m. Room: Victory B

Over the past few years, California has experienced several devastating wildfires and mudslides resulting
in loss of life, property damage and community disruption. In this session, two superintendents who led
their districts through natural disasters will share insights on emergency preparation, disaster response and
recovery.

Moderator: John Roach EdD ’88, Adjunct Faculty, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists: Robert Haley EdD ’01, Superintendent, San Dieguito Union High School District
Doug Kimberly EdD ’08, Superintendent, Lake Elsinore Unified School District

John Roach EdD ’88 is an adjunct professor at USC Rossier where he teaches leadership and accountability
classes. He began his career in the Lennox School District as a sixth-grade teacher where he met his wife,
Johanna. John was also an elementary and high school administrator in Brea Olinda Unified and a middle
school principal in East Whittier City School District. Trojan colleague and mentor, Dr. Susan Rainey, trusted
John to lead the Instruction, HR and Business divisions as her associate superintendent in Charter Oak Unified.
This experience John to serve as superintendent of Charter Oak from 1998-2004 and at Carlsbad Unified School District from
2004-2012. In retirement, John can be found rooting for the Trojans, playing mediocre golf, traveling, attempting to get trout to
bite on a fly, sharing his political views on social media and reading the tower of books next to his recliner. He serves as a consul-
tant to search firms and companies that design and build schools and assists them in operating more efficient. He mentors
several California administrators currently serving students. For ACSA, where he was a charter president and served on many
state committees, John directs training for new superintendents and does collective bargaining for districts.
Robert Haley EdD ’01 became superintendent for the San Dieguito Union High School District on November 1,
2018. His professional experience in six school districts, and the United State Marine Corps Reserve, has spanned
over thirty years and includes time served as a teacher, principal, and district level administrator. Robert is highly
regarded for his knowledge of school finance and district operations. He has been a presenter at the Annual
Education Conference for the California School Boards’ Association on school finance issues. He is known for his
research and work on school safety and was a member of the Association of California School Administrators’ Fatal School Vio-
lence Task Force. He recently presented at the Coalition for Adequate School Housing on issues of safety considerations in school
facilities planning. Key areas of his current work in San Dieguito Union High School District are focused on the development of a
high-functioning governance team and supporting student social-emotional wellness.
Doug Kimberly Ed.D. ’08 is currently serving in his seventh year as superintendent of the Lake Elsinore Unified
School District and his 10th year as superintendent overall, previously serving three years at the Santa Maria Joint
Union High School District. In addition, he serves as Chairman of the Riverside County SELPA, member of the SISC
Board of Directors, Treasurer for the Southern California Superintendents, and member of the CSBA Superinten-
dent’s Advisory Council. Prior to becoming superintendent, Doug served as assistant superintendent of human
resources for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. He acquired school site level administration experience at the high
school level while serving as an assistant principal and later as principal. His experience as a high school teacher/coach provided
planning and motivation skills which helps in negotiations, table talks and problem solving situations. Prior to his career in educa-
tion, Doug was employed in the transportation industry, an experience that provided rare insights into many non-instructional
operations of a school district.



Dean Karen Symms Gallagher
invites you to attend

USC Rossier’s Centennial Celebration

Saturday, August 24, 2019
4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Skirball Cultural Center, Guerin Pavilion
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
(Complimentary parking in the North parking garage)

RSVP by August 1, 2019 at rossier100.edu

An interactive culmination of USC Rossier’s Centennial Year, celebrating our past, present and future,
and honoring the many individuals and organizations who have shaped our first century of success.

CENTENNIAL IMPACT AWARDS
Christopher “Chip” Paucek
Co-Founder and CEO, 2U, Inc.
Morris Li

Chairman of the Board, CTBC Bank

ALUMNI SERVICE AWARDS
Carol Fox MS ’62

Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group

Thank you to our Centennial Title Sponsor



3470 Trousdale Parkway
Waite Phillips Hall
Los Angeles, California 90089
rossier.usc.edu