The National Association of Charter School Authorizers’ (NACSA) Board of Directors announced today Dr. Joseph Escobedo will serve as NACSA’s new board chair beginning in January of 2024. Dr. Escobedo previously served as NACSA’s board secretary and has been a board member since December 2020.
“I’m both honored and humbled to be chosen as the next board chair,” said Dr. Escobedo. “I am passionate about the work that NACSA does putting students, families, and communities at the center. All students, no matter the kind of public school they attend, deserve high-quality educational opportunities and I’m excited to expand my work in this area.”
Dr. Escobedo is the Senior Director and oversees the Charter School Team in the Board of Education Office for Albuquerque Public Schools. Prior to serving as Senior Director of the Charter School Team, Joseph served as Chief of Staff to the Superintendent for six years. He also developed and implemented the district’s first equity and engagement department, serving as the districts first Chief Equity Officer.
“I’ve known and worked with Joseph for several years,” said NACSA President & CEO, M. Karega Rausch, Ph. D. “His commitment to families and communities is remarkable. That focus and dedication will be impactful in his leadership with NACSA.”
NACSA is also thankful for the four years Sara Mead spent chairing the NACSA board of directors and is grateful that she will continue serving as a board member. Sara’s board leadership has been remarkable: she helped NACSA navigate through the challenges of the global pandemic, shepherded a CEO search and selection process, and has stewarded NACSA’s development and execution of its current strategic plan among many other key accomplishments.
“Sara has been an incredible board chair, helping to steer NACSA through tricky waters over the past few years,” said Rausch. “We are grateful that NACSA will continue to benefit from her leadership, insights, and perspective through continued board service”.
In honor of Sara’s leadership, NACSA will make a financial contribution in her name to GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that gives money directly to the world’s poorest households.
