The USC Rossier Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) convened its annual awards dinner on January 29 in Indian Wells, California, bringing together superintendents, educational leaders, sponsors, faculty, staff and guests for an evening centered on service, leadership and educational equity. With 155 attendees, the event celebrated the collective impact of DSAG members on the USC Trojan Family and the broader TK–12 educational landscape, while spotlighting individuals whose work exemplifies visionary leadership and a commitment to student success.
A highlight of the evening was the induction of Vivian Ekchian EdD ’19 as the 2026 DSAG Hall of Fame honoree. A USC Rossier adjunct faculty member and a distinguished alumna of the Doctor of Education in Leadership in Urban Settings program, Ekchian is a lifelong educator and learner whose career reflects deep commitment to equity and excellence. She previously served as superintendent of the Glendale Unified School District, where she was recognized as a collaborative, student-centered leader with a focus on accelerating outcomes for all students. Her induction honors not only her professional achievements, but also her enduring contributions to educational leadership in California.
“I am profoundly honored and sincerely humbled to receive the DSAG Hall of Fame Award,” Ekchian said in her acceptance. “USC Rossier reminds us that educational leadership is moral work rooted in our collective commitment to equity and community, which fosters a sense of shared purpose.”
The evening also recognized recipients of the DSAG Endowed Scholarship: Christine Schieferle, Paul Nitake, Maiysha Etienne and Rochelle Espitia. The highly competitive scholarship supports EdD students who aspire to become superintendents and transformational system leaders. Recipients are selected through a rigorous review of applications and references by a committee of DSAG members and USC Rossier faculty. The scholarship is made possible through the sustained generosity of DSAG members and sponsors who remain deeply invested in cultivating the next generation of equity-driven leaders.
“Their steadfast commitment to educational justice fills us with deep optimism for what lies ahead,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera of the scholarship honorees. “I look forward to the meaningful impact you will have across California and well beyond.”
- Maiysha Etienne currently serves as deputy superintendent of New York City Public Schools District 7 in the South Bronx, where she supports 25 schools in curriculum implementation, instructional improvement and leadership development, all with an eye toward advancing equitable academic outcomes. Etienne began her career as a classroom teacher and later served as a middle school principal, leading successful school improvement initiatives and securing more than $1 million in grant funding to expand student opportunities. A former attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, she brings a justice-oriented, policy-informed perspective to educational leadership. Etienne holds degrees from Northwestern University, The George Washington University Law School and Mercy University, and is currently pursuing her EdD in K–12 Leadership. Her research bridges cognitive science and mathematics education to examine how district systems can disrupt opportunity gaps and expand social mobility.
- Paul Nitake is the principal of North High School in the Torrance Unified School District and a second-year doctoral student in the K–12 Educational Leadership program. A former Geometry and AP Chemistry teacher and varsity basketball head coach, Nitake leads with an adaptive, equity-driven approach centered on innovation, belonging and student success. Under his leadership, North High—where nearly half of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged—has earned regional and statewide recognition, including Daily Breeze Best Public High School in the South Bay and ERP Honor Roll distinctions. In recent years, the school has posted strong academic outcomes, including high proficiency and graduation rates, while generating more than $1 million in tuition savings for families through early college, dual enrollment and AP coursework. Nitake’s work reflects a deep commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and expanding opportunity.
- Christine Schieferle serves as superintendent of the Fillmore Unified School District in Ventura County, California. With a background that spans teaching, curriculum leadership and district administration, Schieferle is known for pairing high expectations with compassion and collaboration. She holds degrees from San Diego State University and California State University, Northridge, and previously served in leadership roles at the Santa Paula Unified School District and the Ventura County Office of Education. As superintendent, she continues to advocate for inclusive systems that respond to the diverse needs of students, families and staff. She is in the first year and first cohort of the Executive EDL Program.
- Rochelle Renae Espitia, a TELACU Scholar, is principal of Shirakawa Elementary School in the Franklin-McKinley School District. In her current role, she led a rapid cultural transformation, earning widespread praise and achieving significant gains in staff morale, academic support and engagement. Previously, she guided Los Arboles Elementary from one of the district’s lowest-performing schools to one of its highest, dramatically increasing student achievement in just two years. Espitia is a multiple-time leadership fellow and award recipient and is currently pursuing her EdD in K–12 Leadership. Her dissertation examines how superintendents lead school consolidations with equity, transparency and community trust.
The DSAG–TELACU partnership underscores a shared commitment to developing Latinx leaders equipped to drive positive change in the communities they serve. TELACU’s mission of empowerment and self-sufficiency aligns closely with DSAG’s focus on preparing leaders to address educational disparities locally and nationally.
The weekend also featured the Women of DSAG brunch, “Leading with Strength, Vision and Grace,” a reflective conversation with Associate Dean Darline Robles PhD ’94 and Dean Noguera. Co-chaired by Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’14 and Melissa Moore EdD ’14, the session invited participants to share pivotal leadership moments, strategies for navigating challenging decisions and insights on leading change with authenticity and grace. The Women of DSAG was established to create intentional spaces for women leaders to come together to share experiences, discuss challenges and support one another. “We were encouraged to intentionally seek out women leaders at all levels—both within and beyond the USC alumni community—who recognize the importance of cultivating strong, supportive networks,” said Kawaguchi. “Through collaboration, women leaders can share best practices, resources and innovative approaches, ultimately strengthening their collective impact and advancing the field of education.”
Together, the awards dinner and brunch affirmed DSAG’s enduring mission to honor excellence, cultivate community and advance equity through bold, compassionate educational leadership.
To view photos from the weekend, please click below:
