Agency Leadership

Secretary of Education

Aimee Rogstad Guidera 

Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera is leading the Virginia Department of Education on an interim basis until newly appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons assumes office on April 17. Learn more about Secretary Guidera.

Assistant Superintendent

Elizabeth Schultz

Elizabeth Schultz was named Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction by Governor Glenn Youngkin in January 2022. Schultz is an education and public policy professional, a prior U.S. Department of Education official, and a former professional senior contracts and negotiation manager. In her federal role, Schultz was appointed to serve as the Deputy Director of the Office of Educational Technology. In addition to her federal service, she was elected twice to the Fairfax County School Board, the nation’s 10th largest school system.

Division of Budget, Finance, and Operations 

Kent Dickey, Deputy Superintendent

The Division of Budget, Finance, and Operations is responsible for distributing state and federal funds to school divisions and provides technical assistance to school divisions in the areas of finance, budget, teacher education and licensure, pupil transportation, child nutrition programs, and school facilities. It administers the Literary Fund school construction loan program, educational technology and school security equipment grants to divisions, and two education tax credit programs for donations to eligible entities.  The division provides services to the Department in the areas of finance, budget, financial systems and reporting, procurement, and internal support services. 

Division of School Quality, Instruction, and Performance

Kimberly Richey, Deputy Superintendent

The Division of School Quality, Instruction and Performance leads the Department’s strategic initiatives to raise student achievement and improve school quality by setting high expectations for all students and providing technical support for schools. This includes the review and revision of the Standards of Learning, the development of aligned curriculum resources, and the implementation of best practices to improve instruction and student learning.

Division of Early Childhood Care and Education

Jenna Conway, Deputy Superintendent

The Division of Early Childhood Care and Education helps prepare all Virginia children for kindergarten by supporting birth to five programming, including the Virginia Preschool Initiative and Early Childhood Special Education. The division focuses on key classroom practices including the use of high-quality curriculum and assessment, teacher-child interactions and individualized professional development as well as strengthening family engagement. The division also works with other state agencies that serve young children to build a more unified birth to five early childhood care and education system.

Department of Policy and Communications

Melissa Velazquez, Assistant Superintendent

The mission of the Department of Policy and Communications is to assist the Virginia Board of Education, the governor and the General Assembly in the development of legislation, regulations, and policies that promote student learning and achievement and to provide timely and accurate information about public education in the commonwealth.

Department of Strategic Innovation

Vacant, Assistant Superintendent

The Department of Strategic Innovation will deploy professional expertise and strategies focused on systemic innovation. Meeting the needs of students by promoting innovation and excellence in our K-12 system are core priorities of the Governor, the Secretary of Education, and the Superintendent.  

• Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Office of Human Resources

Carol Ann Lawson, Director

The Office of Human Resources is responsible for providing support and guidance to the Department of Education's employees throughout the full employee lifecycle. The functions of the Human Resources department include hiring and recruitment, onboarding, benefits, compensation, payroll, performance management, development and engagement, employee relations and more.

Department of Data, Research, and Technology

Dr. Dave Myers, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Information Officer

The Department of Data, Research, and Technology is responsible for conducting objective analyses and scientifically-sound research to assist in fulfilling the agency’s strategic goals, as well as the support of the public’s use of educational data and research. This department is responsible for the collection of data and ensuring that all state and federal reporting requirements are met. The team also supports the technology needs of the agency, as well as the development and maintenance of all technology applications and databases.  

• Office of Data Services
• Office of Information Security
• Office of Research
• Office of Technology and Systems Development

Chief Information Security Officer - Diane Carnohan*

*This Chief Information Security Officer reports directly to Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Chief Information Security Officer develops, manages, and maintains the agency’s information technology (IT) security program in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia's IT security policies and standards. Responsibilities of the Chief Information Security Officer include: building a strong interactive partnership with school divisions in the area of IT security and assisting them in the development and implementation of IT security guidelines, plans, procedures and best practice recommendations.