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A Celebration of Trojan LeadershiphonoringWesley I. Smith EdD ’January , : p.m.Indian Wells, California

Dr. Wesley Smith EdD ’ is the superintendent of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. His  years in California public education include  years as a site or district leader and eight years as an educator and student advocate at the state and federal levels. Dr. Smith served as the executive director of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), which is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States. He previously served as the superintendent of Morgan Hill Unified School District, and superintendent, assistant superintendent, and principal in Cascade Union Elementary School District. He also has served as a high school English, English language development, and Spanish teacher, as well as a football and baseball coach. In addition to Dr. Smith’s K- experience, he is currently an adjunct professor in the USC Rossier School of Education.Known as a strong leader who prioritizes the rights, needs, and safety of all students, Dr. Smith has been successful in narrowing access and achievement gaps, restoring positive working relationships, rebuilding confidence in education systems, and helping students feel seen, heard, and valued. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University, Master of Arts from Claremont Graduate School, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California.Wesley I. SmithSUPERINTENDENTNEWPORTMESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT2024 DSAG HALL OF FAME HONOREE

DEAN’S SUPERINTENDENTS ADVISORY GROUP2024 AWARDS DINNERDSAG WELCOME Wesley I. Smith EdD ’05USC ROSSIER WELCOME Dean Pedro A. NogueraSALUTE TO SPONSORS Maria Martinez-Poulin EdD ’17 Edgar Zazueta EdD ’18DSAG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96 Andrew Pulver EdD ’11INTRODUCTION OF DSAG SCHOLARS David Cash EdD ’08 AND DSAG TELACU SCHOLAR Crystal Turner EdD ’13 Awardee Kimberlie Linz Awardee Parisa Mazandarani Awardee Rhonda Overby Awardee Charlene SaenzINTRODUCTION OF HONOREE Carl CohnHONOREE REMARKS Wesley I. Smith EdD ’05CLOSING REMARKS David Cash EdD ’08

Greetings!I am delighted to join you at the  DSAG Awards Dinner as we come together to celebrate the profound impact you’ve had on the Trojan Family and the field of education.DSAG remains a cornerstone in sustaining and invigorating the work we undertake at USC Rossier. This year, our spotlight is on a true champion of equity and access to quality education – a heartfelt congratulations to Wesley I. Smith EdD ’, the esteemed  DSAG Hall of Fame inductee. Wesley’s exceptional service to our community of education leaders is truly commendable. A special moment of recognition is also reserved for the four remarkable DSAG scholarship recipients – Charlene Saenz, Kim Linz, Parisa Mazandarani, and Rhonda Overby. Your paths are illuminated with promise, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing your impactful contributions to advancing educational equity, not just in California, but beyond. I extend appreciation and gratitude to all donors and sponsors who have generously contributed to the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund. Your unwavering support ensures that USC Rossier continues to produce educational leaders with a resolute commitment to equity, making a lasting impact on the lives of the students and families they serve. In , USC Rossier achieved remarkable milestones. Our alumni continue to develop innovative policies that improve education systems throughout the nation and our students are preparing to advance educational equity through their future careers. Gratitude abounds for the collective efforts that made this past year unforgettable. Amidst global challenges, embracing a commitment to peace and positive change is crucial. USC Rossier’s strength lies in its supportive community. As we look forward, let’s renew our dedication to compassion, care, and mutual support. Together, let our commitment to community guide us to new heights. Thank you and Fight On!MESSAGE FROM DEAN NOGUERAPedro A. Noguera, PhDEMERY STOOPS AND JOYCE KING STOOPS DEAN

DSAG HALL OF FAMEPREVIOUS HONOREES Mary McNeil MS PhD ’  Margaret A. Chidester EdD ’Gregory A. Franklin EdD ’David Verdugo EdD ’David Cash EdD ’John A. Roach EdD ’Maria G. Ott PhD ’Michael F. Escalante EdD ’Pedro E. Garcia EdD ’Jack McLaughlin PhD ’ and Michael J. McLaughlin PhD ’Karen Symms GallagherThomas C. Halvorsen EdD ’Steven Fish EdD ’Rudy Castruita EdD ’Darline Robles PhD ’Mike Caston EdD ’, PhD ’Carol Wilson PhD ’Robert French PhD ’Stuart Gothold EdD ’John Duncan PhD ’Robert Ferris EdD ’Frank Cosca EdD ’John Stallings PhD ’Charles Terrell PhD ’Leonard Murdy PhD ’

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 – including 80+ current superintendents.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 Rossier EdD students aspiring to become superintendents, with a goal of $2 million.• 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.• Partnering with USC Rossier on its annual summer Leadership Conference, which welcomes nearly 250 participants annually.DEAN’S SUPERINTENDENTS ADVISORY GROUP

The DSAG Endowed Scholarship continues to recognize and support EdD students aspiring to the role of superintendent. This highly competitive award is bestowed through a meticulous evaluation of applications and references by the selection committee, consisting of dedicated USC Rossier faculty and DSAG members who volunteer their time. The ongoing generosity of DSAG members and sponsors makes the scholarship possible. A special thank you goes to the - DSAG Scholars selection committee: David Cash EdD ’ (Co-Chair), Crystal Turner EdD ’ (Co-Chair), Kathy Thorossian EdD ’, Elizabeth Eminhizer EdD ’, Melissa Moore EdD ’, and Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’. 2024 DSAG SCHOLARSKimberlie LinzKimberlie Linz has been the Chief Business Official of the El Segundo Unified School District since December of . Previously she was a principal and assistant principal in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District at the elementary and secondary levels, and an elementary and secondary teacher, math coach, and Resource Specialist in the Beverly Hills Unified School District. Kim was the ASCA State and Region  Business Services Administrator of the Year and the Los Angeles County Office of Education Administrator of the Year in Business Services for .Kim received her School Business Management Certificate from the University of Southern California (USC), a Master’s with an emphasis in elementary and special education from the University of Virginia, a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral program for K- Educational Leadership at USC.

2024 DSAG SCHOLARSParisa Mazandarani Parisa Mazandarani is the founding Assistant Principal of Legacy Magnet Academy in Tustin, CA. Her educational journey began as a science teacher with Teach For America in Hartford, Connecticut, where she gained firsthand insights into the opportunity disparities confronting students in inner-city schools. Parisa also taught physics and contributed to the development of the district’s curriculum before returning to Southern California. As an Assistant Principal at a charter high school in Santa Ana, she transformed disciplinary systems, significantly reducing suspension rates through innovative teacher bias training, mental health support initiatives, and instructional coaching. As an Iranian immigrant, Parisa places great importance on providing STEM education for young girls, recognizing the independence and freedom it can afford them. Parisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from CSU Dominguez Hills. She brings her passion for science to her work with project-based learning in schools.Rhonda OverbyRhonda Overby has served in the educational field for 22 years. She has recently accepted a position as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, which will commence in the 2024-2025 school year. Currently, she serves as the Director of Educational Services. Prior to that, she was an elementary school principal, an instructional technology coach, and a teacher. As such, she has worked with student and adult learners to maximize their learning capacity. As an advocate for an inclusive and diverse school environment and the district’s homeless and foster youth liaison, Rhonda has had the incredible opportunity to work closely with families and the community. She believes all students deserve an opportunity to learn from teachers who are passionate about what they do and care deeply for students. She is proud to be a part of the Rossier School of Education, working on her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California.

2024 DSAG SCHOLARS in partnership with TELACUCharlene SaenzCharlene Saenz is a second-generation Mexican American, and the first in her family to attend college. She began her educational profession serving as a Bilingual Clerk at a local middle school. Continually advancing through her career, she worked as a high school Spanish teacher, administrative designee, assistant principal, principal, and currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services in the second largest high school district in the state, the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Charlene’s post-secondary education journey began at her local community college, followed by public and private universities where she earned her BA and MA, and concluding at her dream school, USC. Charlene is currently attending the University of Southern California in pursuit of an Educational Leadership K- doctoral degree.Charlene is thankful for her amazing family for their unwavering support; her parents, sister, husband Michael and their two children, Bella and Amon. TELACU is a pioneering institution committed to service, empowerment, advancement and the creation of self-suciency. An important part of fullling TELACU’s mission is to equip Latinx scholars with the tools they need to eect positive change in the communities TELACU serves. We are proud to partner with USC Rossier Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group to jointly impact the leaders of tomorrow, who in turn will have the power to generate solutions that address the educational disparity in our local communities and beyond.

2024 DSAG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDHONOR ROLLThrough the generous support of DSAG members and sponsors, the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 to support EdD students aspiring to become superintendents. Annual gifts help grow the Fund, ultimately supporting more students over time.Thank you to the following DSAG members and friends who made a gift this fiscal year‡.‡Gifts received July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023*Members of The AcademyShelley Adams EdD ’17*Alejandro Alvarez EdD ’17Patricia Brent-Sanco EdD ’16*Christopher Brown EdD ’22Manuel Burciaga EdD ’17*Garry Cameron EdD ’10*David Cash EdD ’08 and * Heather Cash EdD ’18Margaret Chidester EdD ’95*Ellen Curtin EdD ’92Joyce Dandridge PhD ’80Vivian Ekchian EdD ’19*James Elsasser EdD ’11Elizabeth Eminhizer EdD ’19Robert Ferris EdD ’65 and Pauline Ferris PhD ’79Carmella FrancoGregory Franklin EdD ’97*Maria Gandera EdD ’02Paul Gothold EdD ’17John Gyves MS ’67, PhD ’72 Thomas Halvorsen EdD ’80 and Barbara Halvorsen BS ’70, MS ’71*Elizabeth Hamilton EdD ’12Gunn Marie Hansen MS ’96, EdD ’00*Julie Harrison EdD ’21*Kevin Hryciw EdD ’17*Alfonso Jimenez EdD ’12*Catherine Kawaguchi EdD ’14*Lawrence Kemper PhD ’75Anthony Knight EdD ’06John Lopez EdD ’22Sandra Lyon EdD ’17*Brian Markarian EdD ’09 Maria Martinez-Poulin EdD ’17*Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96*Froilan Mendoza EdD ’17Melissa Moore EdD ’14*Dean Pedro A. Noguera*Charles Obert BS ’62, MS ’65Maria Ott PhD ’94*David Paterson EdD ’93Andrew Pulver EdD ’11 Raul Ramirez EdD ’14*Darline P. Robles PhD ’93 Jennifer Root EdD ’17 Joel Shawn EdD ’93 Robert Slaby MS ’72, PhD ’79Wesley Smith EdD ’05*Katherine Thorossian EdD ’09*Matthew Torres EdD ’09Crystal Turner EdD ’13 David Verdugo EdD ’05*Sonja Lee Yates EdD ’90 *

A heartfelt thank you to the generous DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund donors and sponsors. In , we took significant strides toward our new fundraising goal of $ million, dedicated to supporting fellow Trojans doing impactful work in education. As a scholarship donor, your support sets a shining example for our student honorees, showcasing a steadfast commitment to empowering Trojans to lead K- institutions nationwide. Tonight, we celebrate the achievements of the four exceptional  DSAG scholarship recipients: Charlene Saenz, Kim Linz, Parisa Mazandarani, and Rhonda Overby. Your unwavering dedication to fostering educational equity for all children promises to bring about overdue transformation in Los Angeles and beyond. Each of you embodies the enduring qualities etched on the granite pedestal of Tommy Trojan: FAITHFUL, SCHOLARLY, SKILLFUL, COURAGEOUS, AMBITIOUS.Trojan educators, fueled by the generosity and faithfulness of donors like you, continue to leave a lasting impact on the lives of students throughout California and across the nation. Your commitment to advancing scholarly and ambitious members of the Trojan family ensures a meaningful legacy that will resonate for generations to come. Fight On!FUNDRAISING CHAIRS’ THANK YOU!Mary McNeil MS ’80, PhD ’96DSAG FUNDRAISING COCHAIRAndrew Pulver EdD ’11DSAG FUNDRAISING COCHAIR

Thank you to our sponsorsThank you for your continued support in our effort to award scholarships to outstanding USC Rossier EdD students who aspire to the superintendency.Special thanks to the members of this year’s DSAG Sponsorship Committee Co-Chairs, Maria Martinez-Poulin EdD ’ and Edgar Zazueta EdD ’.

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2021 DSAG AWARDS | PAGE 152021 CARDINAL PARTNERMargaret Chidester, J.D. USD SOL, Ed.D. ‘95 (USC Rossier) and Steven Chidester, J.D. Western State School of Law, are principals in the rm of Margaret A. Chidester & Associates. They support DSAG’s dinner and scholarships annually. Margaret is past chair and member of the Board of Directors of NSBA’s Council of School Attorneys. She serves as an adjunct professor at the USC Rossier School of Education and is a member of Rossier’s Board of Councilors. Steven, the rm’s managing partner, has successfully represented school districts in charter school matters before county boards of education, the California State Board of Education, and before California trial and appellate courts. The rm represents school boards in all legal matters including labor, personnel, governance, pupils, charter schools, business, and trial and appellate litigation.Margaret A. Chidester & Associates17762 Cowan, 1st FloorIrvine, CA 92614(949) 474-0969 2021 DSAG AWARDS | PAGE 152021 CARDINAL PARTNERMargaret Chidester, J.D. USD SOL, Ed.D. ‘95 (USC Rossier) and Steven Chidester, J.D. Western State School of Law, are principals in the rm of Margaret A. Chidester & Associates. They support DSAG’s dinner and scholarships annually. Margaret is past chair and member of the Board of Directors of NSBA’s Council of School Attorneys. She serves as an adjunct professor at the USC Rossier School of Education and is a member of Rossier’s Board of Councilors. Steven, the rm’s managing partner, has successfully represented school districts in charter school matters before county boards of education, the California State Board of Education, and before California trial and appellate courts. The rm represents school boards in all legal matters including labor, personnel, governance, pupils, charter schools, business, and trial and appellate litigation.Margaret A. Chidester & Associates17762 Cowan, 1st FloorIrvine, CA 92614(949) 474-0969

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