Dr. Usamah Rodgers, DeSoto ISD Superintendent
Dr. Usamah Rodgers was named Superintendent of Schools in the DeSoto Independent School District on May 16, 2022. Prior to being named DeSoto ISD’s superintendent, Rodgers served as a deputy chief in the second-largest school district in Texas. Dr. Rodgers is a known thought leader, collaborator, innovator, designer, and disruptor. Most notably Usamah Rodgers is highly regarded for her work designing, launching and leading one of the largest implementations of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program in the United States. Her work has created opportunities for thousands of students to earn a high school diploma, an Associate degree, and industry-recognized certifications. Dr. Usamah Rodgers is a dynamic educator with a career that spans more than 30 years. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Rodgers has presented at numerous national, state, and local conferences speaking to thousands regarding the importance of access, advocacy, equity, and excellence.
Dr. Rodgers was named the best K-12 Education Leader in 2020 and 2022 by The Edvocate, a national organization that is devoted to advocating for education equity, reform, and innovation. Dr. Rodgers was recognized for her contributions to the field of education by receiving a 2024 Bear of Excellence Award from the Missouri State University Alumni Association. Usamah was a recipient of the 2023 Texas Black Legislative Caucus Outstanding Texan Award representing District 111. She has received various awards throughout her distinguished career including being named Teacher of the Year in 1998 and Principal of the Year in 2009. Dr. Rodgers has also received awards from various organizations namely the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, and The University of Texas at Austin.
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Dr. Rodgers received a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Elementary Education from Missouri State University (Southwest Missouri State), Master of Education in Education Administration and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy degrees both from the University of Texas at Austin.