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Superintendent

Dr. Scott A Menzel Welcomes You

Dr. Scott Menzel became Scottsdale Unified School District’s 27th superintendent in July 2020, following 18 years of excellence in leadership with Michigan public school districts. 

Driving Dr. Menzel’s work is the moral imperative to provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all students.  He initiated a future-focused, strategic planning process that has set Scottsdale Unified’s course for the next five to ten years, engaging the district’s broad community of stakeholders to articulate a vision for the district’s future that is both aspirational and inspirational. 

Always looking to the future, Dr. Scott Menzel’s approach to education is student-centered with a relentless commitment to excellence and opportunity for all. 

This collaborative process ensures Scottsdale Unified remains focused on the success of its 20,000 students today and in the world tomorrow. 

Prior to coming to SUSD, Dr. Menzel spent nine years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving as superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), which includes many public-school districts, academies, and facilities in Washtenaw County. At WISD, he oversaw the delivery of early childhood and special education, professional development, and technology and data management programs on behalf of nine area school districts. Prior to that, he was superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency for four years and superintendent of Whitmore Lake Public Schools for the five years before that.

Dr. Menzel has a PhD in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s degree in Philosophy and Social Policy from The American University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Vanguard University of Southern California.

He has been married to his wife, Tammy, for 32 years. They have two grown daughters.

Dr. Menzel's commitment to community involvement is exemplified by his active participation on various boards demonstrating his dedication to serving the broader community:

  • Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce
  • Community Celebrating Diversity (CCD) Board
  • Blue Zones Steering Committee
  • Greater Phoenix Educational Management Consortium (Vice Chair)
  • SCC Community Advisory and Action Team 
  • ASA Legislative Committee  
  • The Center for Model Schools Advisory Board
  • GCU President’s Educational Advisory Board

Education and Credentials

  • Doctorate – Eastern Michigan University
  • Specialists—Eastern Michigan University
  • Master’s - Philosophy and Social Policy, The American University in Washington, D.C
  • Bachelor’s – Religion, Vanguard University, California

Honors

  • Superintendent of the Year, Save Our Schools Arizona (2023)
  • 2018-19 Outstanding Superintendent Communicator Award, Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA)
  • United Way of Washtenaw County “Live United” Award (2018)
  • National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) Spirit Award (2017)
  • Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Special Citation (2017)
  • Eastern Michigan University Excellence in Scholarship Award (2017)
  • Michigan Region 8 Superintendent of the Year (2014)
  • Ann Arbor News/MLive Executive of the Year (2014)
  • Brown Chapel Leadership Award for Educational and Diversity Leadership (2014)
  • Early Childhood Investment Corporation “Fierce Heart” Award (2013)
  • White House “YMCA Champion for Change” award (2013)
  • MAISA President’s Distinguished Service Award for Early Childhood Advocacy (2011)

Professional Associations / Appointments

  • Superintendent of the Year, Save Our Schools Arizona (2023)
  • Editor for AESA’s journal, Perspectives
  • Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Advisory Board (2018)
  • Washtenaw Health Initiative Steering Committee (2018-present)
  • Washtenaw County Diversion Council (2018)
  • Appointed to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee (2017-2021) by Governor Rick Snyder
  • Michigan College Access Network Board (MCAN)—2017-2019
  • Michigan School Finance Research Project Steering and Technical Committee (2017-present)
  • Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) National Council member (2015-2017)
  • Michigan Association of School Administrators (Region 8 president in 2004-05)
  • Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators