Jeanice Kerr Swift, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jeanice Kerr Swift, Ph.D. is a lifetime educator, having served thirty years as classroom teacher, teacher coach, principal, and school district administrator. She has served as Superintendent of Schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools since August, 2013.

Under Dr. Swift’s leadership in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, exciting new programs are opened in schools, achievement is improving, and top-quality academic and arts programming continues to thrive. In addition, critical measures of district strength, such as positive enrollment trajectory and fund equity stability are also improved. Dr. Swift works as a passionate advocate for children, believing each child’s unique talents should be leveraged to meet high expectations for learning and ensure success beyond graduation.

Jeanice Kerr Swift was named the Michigan Superintendent of the Year, 2018 by the Michigan Association of School Administrators and was recognized as a Superintendent to Watch, 2017-18 by the National School Public Relations Association for demonstrating dynamic leadership with a strong emphasis on communication.

Dr. Swift delights in working alongside teachers, support staff, and leaders to improve student performance and organization outcomes. She has long been passionate about the arts, having served as principal of a performing arts school and discovering, through personal experience, the power of the arts to positively transform individual students, schools, and entire communities.

Prior to moving to Ann Arbor, Jeanice Swift served Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Curriculum, and Student Services in Colorado Springs School District 11.

Jeanice Swift earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education, with a major in English and a minor in Spanish, at the University of Texas, Arlington. She earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Colorado and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership at the University of Denver.

Dr. Swift believes that every child deserves to be fully welcomed and embraced at school and receive the support needed to succeed within a rich, exploratory, arts-infused school experience. She is committed to engaging with the Ann Arbor community to further extend and enhance the excellence for which Ann Arbor Public Schools has long been known across Michigan and around the world.