homeLogo enroll facebook twitter instagram linkedin youtube
staff login
Cabinet Team
In This Section

Cabinet Team

Cabinet Team

Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox

Interim Superintendent – Rochelle Cox

The superintendent is the primary leader responsible for managing the school district. The superintendent works with all staff, families and the larger community to ensure that students receive the anti-racist, holistic education outlined in the MPS Strategic Plan. The superintendent sets academic priorities and serves as the leading decision-maker for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Dr. Shawn Harris-Berry

Senior Officer of Schools – Dr. Shawn Harris-Berry

The Senior Officer of Schools supervises the four Associate Superintendents who guide and direct school leaders to help students reach their academic goals and manage their school sites and programs. The Senior Officer of Schools also oversees the district’s athletic program. The Senior Officer of Schools works with other cabinet members to improve academic outcomes and school climate to provide a better education for all students.

Dr. Aimee Fearing

Senior Officer of Academics – Dr. Aimee Fearing

The Senior Officer of Academics serves as the academic leader for MPS. They lead and set the vision for MPS curriculum, instruction and academic programming for students of all ages. The Senior Officer of Academics supervises leaders in departments such as Community Education, Indian Education, Office of Black Student Achievement, Special Education, and Multilingual and Magnet Programs.

Ibrahima Diop

Senior Officer of Finance and Operations - Ibrahima Diop

The Senior Officer of Finance and Operations manages the financial resources of MPS to ensure we meet the needs of our students, staff and families, and oversees operational management such as facilities, culinary wellness, and transportation.

Candra Bennett

Senior Officer of Human Resources - Candra Bennett

The Senior Officer of Human Resources leads staffing, talent management, employee and labor relations, relicensure, and licensure pathways for all schools and departments across MPS.

Justin Hennes

Senior Officer of Information Technology – Justin Hennes

The Senior Officer of Information Technology manages classroom technology integration, technology infrastructure, cybersecurity and technology support for students, families and staff.

Yusuf Abdullah

Associate Superintendent - Yusuf Abdullah

The associate superintendent is responsible for providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to improve overall school performance as defined in the strategic plan.

Schools supporting:
Andersen, Anthony, Anwatin, Bethune, Ella Baker, Emerson, Franklin, Green, Hall, Justice Page, Las Estrellas, Marcy, MPS Online School, Northeast, Olson, Sanford, Seward, Sullivan

 

Laura Cavender

Associate Superintendent - Laura Cavender

The associate superintendent is responsible for providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to improve overall school performance as defined in the strategic plan.

Schools supporting:
Anishinabe, Armatage, Barton, Burroughs, Cityview, Field, Hale, Kenny, Kenwood, Lake Harriet Lower, Lake Harriet Upper, Lucy Laney, Nellie Stone, Pillsbury, Waite Park, Webster, Windom

Erin Glynn

Associate Superintendent – Erin Glynn

The associate superintendent is responsible for providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to improve overall school performance as defined in the strategic plan. 

Schools supporting:
Bancroft, Bryn Mawr, Dowling, Folwell, HIA, Hiawatha, Howe, Jenny Lind, Keewaydin, Loring, Lyndale, Metro Programs, Northrop, Pratt, Riverbend, Wenonah, Whittier

Dr. Michael Walker

Associate Superintendent - Dr. Michael Walker

The associate superintendent is responsible for providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to improve overall school performance as defined in the strategic plan.

Schools supporting:
Edison, FAIR, Harrison, Henry, Heritage, Longfellow, North, Roosevelt, South, Southwest, Stadium View, Transition Plus, Washburn, Wellstone

Sarah Hunter

Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives - Sarah Hunter

The Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives leads the implementation and monitoring of the district's strategic plan. She also leads the Research, Evaluation, Assessment and Accountability department, which includes the district's Equity and Diversity Impact Assessments (EDIA), and school improvement work.

Derek Francis

Executive Director of Equity and School Climate - Derek Francis

The Executive Director of Equity and School Climate leads MPS’s equity and school climate work to provide a school climate where all students feel safe, affirmed, and engaged in the learning environment through implementation of our climate framework.

Tyrize Cox

Executive Director of Engagement and External Relations - Tyrize Cox

The Executive Director of Engagement and External Relations manages efforts to support students, staff, families and communities in understanding and participating in the MPS educational system. The department supports family-school partnerships that create a welcoming and safe environment for students. Additional functions managed here include: Student Enrollment, Parent Advisory Councils (PAC), Parent Academy, Community Partnerships and the Volunteer Program.

Donnie Belcher

Executive Director of Communications and Marketing - Donnie Belcher

The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing manages efforts to provide timely, accurate and relevant information to help families, staff and the community support student success. This includes family and staff communications, branding, media relations, digital and social media, graphic design, broadcast media, KBEM radio and translations/interpretations. 

Ryan Strack

Executive Director of Student Support Services - Dr. Meghan Hickey

The Executive Director of Student Support Services leads MPS’s work to provide a comprehensive and coordinated set of services and resources for students and their families. This includes supervision of Counseling, Emergency Management, Safety & Security (EMSS), the Family Resource Center, Health Services, Homeless and Highly Mobile Student Services, Mental Health Services, Social Work Services, and Student Retention and Recovery.

Josh Downham

Lobbyist - Josh Downham

The lobbyist represents the interests of MPS at the state capitol, works to advance our legislative agenda, and coordinates the MPS Parent Legislative Action Committee.

Ryan Strack

Assistant to the Superintendent and Board - Ryan Strack

The Assistant to the Superintendent and Board advises and supports the superintendent and school board on day-to-day matters. The Assistant to the Superintendent and Board serves as a liaison to elected officials and other stakeholders and is responsible for staffing the Board of Education, government relations, supervising the ombudsperson offices, and facilitating the policy development process.

Lee Atakpu

General Counsel - Lee Atakpu

The general counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the school board and MPS executive leadership. The general counsel represents the school district in legal proceedings, litigation, court appearances, hearings and other disputes. The general counsel reports to the superintendent and school board.