Dr. Blanco (Center) with Rep. Chu and PUSD students (Photo – Colorado Boulevard)
Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco, Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), has been named Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region XV. The award honors her visionary leadership, commitment to student achievement, and dedication to innovation and collaboration districtwide.
By Rena Kurlander
ACSA, the nation’s largest organization for school leaders, represents more than 17,000 California educators. Region XV’s annual award honors administrators who exemplify the association’s mission of advancing equitable, world-class education.
Dr. Blanco officially became Superintendent of PUSD on July 1, 2024, after serving as Interim Superintendent for a year. Her career in public education spans over 30 years, marked by a deep commitment to creating inclusive, dynamic learning environments.
Within PUSD, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Deputy Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, and Executive Director of SELPA and Early Childhood. Before returning to Pasadena, she led the Division of Instruction, Innovation, and Social Justice in the San Francisco Unified School District from 2012 to 2017.
Dr. Blanco began her career as a classroom teacher in the Rowland Unified School District. She holds a Doctor of Education in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, as well as master’s degrees in Educational Administration and Special Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles.
Dr. Blanco’s recognition as Superintendent of the Year affirms her lifelong dedication to educational equity, student success, and transformative leadership.
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