Susan F. Lusi

Susan F. Lusi has worked in both urban and suburban settings, and in practice, policy and research, during her nearly 30-year career. She most recently served as superintendent of schools in Providence, Rhode Island, where she is credited with increasing student achievement and opportunity. Most notably, she improved graduation rates as well as reading proficiency scores for Grades 4 and 11, particularly among English language learners. Sue was a champion for Providence students. To enhance their college and career readiness, she and her team increased advanced placement, career and technical education, and dual credit offerings in all high schools, as well as established partnerships with institutions of higher education. Sue also collaborated with the Providence School Board and Providence teachers union to develop board policy and teacher contract language supporting increased school autonomy. Sue previously served as superintendent of schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, chief of staff for Providence Schools and assistant commissioner for the Rhode Island Department of Education. She started her career at Brown University working for the Coalition of Essential Schools and the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, as well as serving as a visiting assistant professor at the Taubman Center for Public Policy. Sue is the author of "The Role of State Departments of Education in Complex School Reform" (Teachers College Press, 1997). She holds a B.A. in economics and a M.A. in teaching social studies from Brown University, and a M.P.P. and Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University.