Colleen Wilcox
Superintendent, Santa Clara County
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2006 Laureate, Colleen Wilcox, superintendent of schools in Santa Clara County since 1994, epitomizes that motto of the Santa Clara County Office of Education, which describes itself as a “champion for children, schools and community.” Her entire professional life has been devoted to advancing educational excellence and providing opportunities for youth. After overcoming a stuttering problem as a child, she studied speech and hearing science at the University of Iowa and earned a master’s degree in speech pathology at the University of Arizona. After serving in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, she managed programs for the Los Angeles and Tucson school districts and completed her Ph.D. in education administration at USC. Dr. Wilcox was a superintendent in the Chicago area before heading to Santa Clara County. She now directs the efforts of 1,700 employees who provide vital services to 33 districts and their 260,000 students. Dr. Wilcox has expanded professional development and technology training programs for teachers, established partnerships with corporate and community organizations, and boosted countywide teacher recruitment efforts. She developed the Education Job Opportunities Information Network that lets California schools recruit nationwide via the Internet. She initiated a Community Call to Action and Blue Ribbon Task Force to address problems of inadequate school funding and resources. She created the award-winning Teacher Recognition Gala and initiated a Young Artist Showcase, Student Leader Awards, and similar programs. A passionate advocate for literacy, she has written and illustrated children’s books, co-founded and co-chairs Silicon Valley Reads. She is chairman of the board of the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley and serves on the boards of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Project Cornerstone, the Commonwealth Club, and the Rotary Club’s Endowment Board. She is past president of the California County Superintendents Education Services Association and in 1999 was named “California Superintendent of the Year” by her peers.
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