- About the USC Rossier 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 USC Rossier Trojan Family.
- Raising funds for the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund, which supports current USC Rossier EdD students aspiring to become superintendents.
- Advising the dean on a variety of current educational issues.
- Sponsoring the annual USC Rossier superintendents’ dinner, the largest gathering of educational leaders affiliated with a California university.
- Annually recognizing a USC Rossier 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)
View a gallery of past DSAG events.
Superintendent Announcements
- Christopher Brown EdD ’22, Capistrano Unified School Distrcit Superintendent
- Julienne Lee EdD ’20, Buena Park School District Superintendent
- 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
- 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, Fountain Valley School District
- Ramiro Rubalcaba EdD ’15, Los 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
DSAG Executive Committee
- Wes Smith EdD ’05, Chair
- Mary McNeil MS '80, PhD ’96, Fundraising Co-Chair
- Andrew Pulver EdD ’11, Fundraising 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 Paul Gothold EdD ’17
2024 Wesley I. Smith EdD ’05
2023 Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96
2022 Margaret Chidester EdD ’95
2021 Gregory Franklin ’83, EdD ’97
2020 David Verdugo EdD ’05
2019 David Cash EdD ’08
2018 John Roach EdD ’88
2017 Maria Ott PhD ’94
2016 Michael Escalante EdD ’02
2015 Pedro Garcia EdD ’83
2014 Jack McLaughlin MS ’65 PhD ’68 and Michael J. McLaughlin PhD ’77
2013 Karen Symms Gallagher
2012 Thomas C. Halvorsen EdD ’80
2011 Steven Fish EdD ’97
2010 Rudy Castruita EdD ’82
2009 Darline Robles PhD ’93
2008 Mike Caston MS ’73 EdD ’80 PhD ’81
2007 Carol Wilson PhD ’80
2006 Robert French ’52 PhD ’69
2005 Stuart Gothold EdD ’74
2004 John Duncan PhD ’70
2003 Robert Ferris PhD ’65
2002 Frank Cosca PhD ’80
2001 John Stallings ’48, PhD ’58
2000 Charles Terrell PhD ’66
1999 Leonard 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.
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.
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
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 USC Rossier EdD candidates who aspire to the superintendency...
Contact Us
For more information, please reach out to Rachel Beal.
