DAVE LONG, PH.D

David Long was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Secretary of Education in March 2007. In that role, he served as policy advisor to the Governor on education issues. Dr. Long has more than 40 years of experience in the field of education, ranging from 21 years of classroom teaching to the superintendency. He obtained his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Prior to his appointment by the Governor, Dr. Long was the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Long is a former President of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). He is the Chairperson of the Federal Education Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Advisory Committee.

He has been honored as California Administrator of the Year by the National Organization of Partners in Education, Superintendent of the Year, and received the Governors Award for school leadership. He was also honored as the Inland Empire Entrepreneur of the Year for his innovative approach to raising student achievement through the Riverside County Achievement Teams.

He has been awarded the prestigious Marcus Foster Memorial Award from the Association of California School Administrators for outstanding leadership and significant contributions to public education by a school administrator.

Dr. Long is deeply involved with communities. He served as a First 5 Riverside Commissioner, earned the Lifelong Learning Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and was awarded both the Honorary Service Award and the Golden Oak Service Award from the California State PTA.

Dave and his wife, Joanne, a principal in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, have two daughters, Angelica and Vika. In addition, Dr. Long has four adult children and 13 grandchildren.