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August 12, 2025
LANSING — Seven candidates have been selected to be interviewed to be Michigan’s next superintendent of public instruction.
The State Board of Education selected the semifinalists this afternoon from a field of 33 candidates after reviewing applications from candidates in Michigan, eight other states, and Washington, D.C.
Candidates selected for interviews are:
The State Board of Education plans to schedule interviews with the candidates for public meetings next week on Monday, Aug. 18, and Tuesday, Aug. 19. Details will be announced after they are finalized.
“Michigan’s next superintendent will lead the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) as it partners with the State Board of Education, local educators, and parents, to improve achievement for students across the state,” said Board President Dr. Pamela Pugh. “I am pleased that a diverse group of educational leaders from Michigan and beyond applied for this critically important position. The board will select the best candidate to lead the way as we work toward continued improvements, including meeting the eight goals in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan. While we have made great progress, we understand there is much more work to do for the good of our children.”
Today the board met with officials from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), the firm it picked to head a national superintendent search. HYA, based in Illinois, has 38 years of experience in supporting educational leaders in finding school executives, including superintendents.
State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice announced in April that he is retiring from the state superintendency Oct. 3. The board hopes to have a new superintendent in place to assume the superintendent position on Oct. 4.
The board, through HYA, posted the position on June 25, with applications closing on Aug. 5. The process included extensive opportunities for stakeholders and members of the public to provide input on important qualifications that the next state superintendent should possess. HYA spoke with more than 200 people during 42 focus groups, forums, and interviews that the firm held. Just under 1,600 people completed online surveys to provide input.
After next week’s interviews, the board is tentatively planning to select finalists to interview the week of Aug. 25, with the goal of selecting the preferred candidate by Aug. 26.
Then the board would negotiate a contract with the preferred candidate and HYA would conduct a deep background check. The formal appointment would occur at the Sept. 9 State Board of Education meeting.
For more information, visit the State Superintendent webpage.
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