Featured Alumni

DEBORAH GIST

The Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2008
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Rhode Island Department of Education, RI

“I know as an urban educator that we are preventing most poor children from achieving the American dream by failing to provide them with a quality education. It should be a national outrage. Poor, urban children can excel, and today more than ever before, we know what needs to be done to provide the quality of education that will enable that success. We must engage high quality leaders throughout our education system from the classroom to the superintendency.”

In July 2009, Deborah Gist was appointed the commissioner of elementary and secondary education for the Rhode Island Department of Education in Providence. Previously, Gist served as the state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia. In this role, she was responsible for transitioning all state-level education functions to the newly formed office of the state superintendent of education. In addition, Gist is responsible for implementing district-wide policy initiatives for all public school students and adult learners. She developed and implemented a comprehensive transition plan for the office of the state superintendent of education, as well as designed and launched EdStat, a comprehensive data-driven decision-making and performance management process. Previously, Gist served as state education officer for the District of Columbia, where she was responsible for improving state-level educational services to ensure the equitable distribution and availability of administrative, financial and school nutrition resources for all public school students. She began her 20-year career in education as a teacher working in urban school districts. Gist has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in elementary education and curriculum from the University of South Florida, and a master’s in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  Gist is a graduate of the 2008 class of The Broad Superintendents Academy.