- About the º£½ÇÂÛ̳ School of Education
- Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group
Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group
Established in 1980 by Ed Dundon, the Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) provides an opportunity for a growing group of superintendents to consult with the Dean, network with other superintendents in California, and recruit aspiring superintendents to join the USC family. DSAG elected Frank Cosca PhD ’80 as its first president in 1991. Today DSAG has approximately 200 members.
DSAG Priorities Include:
- Serving as active and engaged members of the º£½ÇÂÛ̳ Trojan Family.
- Raising funds for the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund, which supports current º£½ÇÂÛ̳ EdD students aspiring to become superintendents.
- Advising the dean on a variety of current educational issues.
- Sponsoring the annual º£½ÇÂÛ̳ superintendents’ dinner, the largest gathering of educational leaders affiliated with a California university.
- Annually recognizing a º£½ÇÂÛ̳ alumnus or faculty member who has made significant contributions to K–12 education.
Member Events
- DSAG Awards Dinner (January)
- Spring DSAG Meeting (April/May)
- DSAG @ Associates Picnic (September)
- Fall DSAG Meeting (September/October)
ÌýSuperintendent Announcements
- Christopher Brown EdDÌý’22, Capistrano Unified School Distrcit SuperintendentÌý
- Julienne Lee EdDÌý’20, Buena Park School District SuperintendentÌý
- Constantino Aguilar EdD ’19, Riverbank Unified School District Superintendent
- Garry Cameron EdD ’10, Needles Unified School District Superintendent
- Amie Carter EdD ’18, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools
- Jennifer Hawn EdD ’07, Piedmont Unified School District Superintendent
- Gary Saunders EdD ’22, Superintendent of Sierra Foothill Charter School Ìý
- Terry Walker EdD ’14, Keppel Union School District
- Gunn Marie Hansen MS ’96, PhD ’00, Westminster School District Superintendent
- Josh Van Norman MAT ’07, Bradley Union School District Superintendent
- Maria Martinez-Poulin EdD ’17, Culver City Unified School District Interim Superintendent
- Katherine Stopp EdD ’15,ÌýFountain Valley School District
- Ramiro Rubalcaba EdD ’15,ÌýLos Nietos School District
- Fal Asrani EdD ’10, Marysville Joint Unified School District
- Clara Finneran EdD ’16, Lompoc Unified School District
- Lori Gonzalez (current EdD student), Lamont Elementary School District
ÌýDSAG Executive Committee
- Wes SmithÌýEdD ’05,ÌýChair
- Mary McNeil MS '80, PhD ’96, Fundraising Co-Chair
- Andrew Pulver EdDÌý’11,ÌýFundraising Co-Chair
- Maria Martinez-Poulin EdD ’16, Sponsorship Co-Chair
- Edgar Zazueta EdD ’18, Sponsorship Co-Chair
- Dave Cash EdD '08, Scholarship Co-Chair
- Crystal Turner EdD ’13, Scholarship Co-Chair
- Melissa Moore EdD ’14, Women of DSAG Co-Chair
- Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’14, Women of DSAG Co-Chair
- Raul Ramirez EdD ’14, Member at Large
- Paul Gothold EdD ’17, Member at Large
2025 Ìý Paul Gothold EdD ’17
2024 Ìý Wesley I. Smith EdD ’05
2023 Ìý Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96
2022 Ìý Margaret Chidester EdD ’95
2021 Ìý ÌýGregory Franklin ’83, EdD ’97
2020 Ìý ÌýDavid Verdugo EdD ’05
2019 Ìý ÌýDavid Cash EdD ’08
2018 Ìý ÌýJohn Roach EdD ’88
2017 Ìý ÌýMaria Ott PhD ’94
2016 Ìý ÌýMichael Escalante EdD ’02
2015 Ìý ÌýPedro Garcia EdD ’83
2014 Ìý ÌýJack McLaughlin MS ’65 PhD ’68 and Michael J. McLaughlin PhD ’77
2013 Ìý ÌýKaren Symms Gallagher
2012 Ìý ÌýThomas C. Halvorsen EdD ’80
2011 Ìý ÌýSteven Fish EdD ’97
2010 Ìý ÌýRudy Castruita EdD ’82
2009 Ìý ÌýDarline Robles PhD ’93
2008 Ìý ÌýMike Caston MS ’73 EdD ’80 PhD ’81
2007 Ìý ÌýCarol Wilson PhD ’80
2006 Ìý ÌýRobert French ’52 PhD ’69
2005 Ìý ÌýStuart Gothold EdD ’74
2004 Ìý ÌýJohn Duncan PhD ’70
2003 Ìý ÌýRobert Ferris PhD ’65
2002 Ìý ÌýFrank Cosca PhD ’80
2001 Ìý ÌýJohn Stallings ’48, PhD ’58
2000 Ìý ÌýCharles Terrell PhD ’66
1999 Ìý ÌýLeonard Murdy ’48, MS ’50, PhD ’62
The Women of DSAG is a dynamic community established in 2017 with a focus on fostering support and empowerment among women leaders. The group emerged as a space for women to connect, engage in meaningful discussions, and collectively address the distinctive challenges faced by women in leadership roles.Ìý
The Women of DSAG is committed to holding events tailored for female leaders. Through inspirational gatherings featuring current or retired female superintendents, the Women of DSAG provides invaluable guidance and shares stories that inspire and motivate the next generation of women leaders.Ìý
Images from the annual DSAG awards dinner
Carol Castro was the 2023 DSAG TELACU Scholarship recipient. Carol stands with Jay Bell and Michael Lizarraga of TELACU and Dean Noguera.
Congratulations to the four DSAG Scholars, Carol Castro, Zaia Vera, Lori Gonzalez, and Jarrod Bordi, who stand with Wes Smith EdD ’05.
Many thanks to our Gold Sponsors Gary Crisp and Julie Crisp ’78 of Crisp Imaging.
Congratulations to Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96 for being named the 2023 DSAG Hall of Fame Honoree.
DSAG Dinner Sponsors
Ìý
DSAG News
Behind a district's rise to success
With a pedagogical framework focused on deep learning and an emphasis on partnerships, Alfonso Jiménez EdD ’12 is putting Hacienda La Puente Unified School District on the map.
Celebrating excellence in education: DSAG 2024 Awards Dinner
Honoring Wesley I. Smith EdD ’05 and four outstanding scholars advancing educational equity
Closing the literacy gap
Rialto USD's transformational journey
Superintendents highlight the wellness of women leaders in education
On April 13, the Women of DSAG hosted the inaugural Women of DSAG Virginia Archer Melbo Networking Event.
DSAG scholars are committed to making educational equity a reality
Each year, the Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) provides scholarships to º£½ÇÂÛ̳ EdD candidates who aspire to the superintendency...
Contact Us
For more information, please reach out to Rachel Beal.
