Superintendent of DeKalb CUSD 428 (Illinois)

Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, a seasoned bilingual superintendent with over three decades in education and a strong track record of leading complex systems through strategic change. In DeKalb CUSD 428, she has led a district-wide equity audit, expanded multilingual and inclusive services, and advanced a major facilities plan—including the opening of a new elementary school in an underserved area. She brings deep experience in navigating diverse urban communities, building trust with families, labor partners, and civic leaders, and using data to drive academic improvement and fiscal accountability. Grounded in the values of family, integrity, and service, she is ready to lead a large urban district with clarity, compassion, and the systems thinking needed to accelerate achievement for all students.

She is widely respected and recognized for her leadership in multicultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and ethical appreciation. Dr. Garcia-Sanchez cultivates an educational environment where every student feels valued and supported, leading with integrity and a servant's heart to empower families and communities, ensuring equitable opportunities for all. With purpose, she drives her actions and decisions, reflecting a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education when guided by family, integrity, and service.

Dr. Garcia-Sanchez focuses on supporting school communities to build a culture of strong instructional leadership, collaborative environments, and holistic student opportunities. With an ever-present student-first mindset, she aims to instill a sense of belonging through her extensive understanding of the vital role social-emotional well-being holds in successful learning and student achievement.

Now in her fifth year as DeKalb’s superintendent, the district has experienced significant change and growth under her leadership. The implementation of a five-year strategic plan rooted in a diversity theory of action has helped move the district forward in several areas, including prioritizing professional learning, resources, and access to tools for building leadership and teachers, investing $33.8 million dollars on a new school renovation and addition to establish a neighborhood school in an area where more than 33% of district elementary students reside, but have no school within walking distance, and fulfilling a long-term need to move the 18-22 young adult transitions program out of a classroom space within the high school to its own new residential space that can more fully accommodate the diverse needs of students.

Dr. Garcia-Sanchez completed her doctorate in urban education policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Spring of 2021. She also holds a master’s degree in instructional leadership (PEL) from Chicago State University, as well as master’s level coursework in bilingual education also from Chicago State University. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Loyola University-Chicago.

On a personal note, Dr. Garcia-Sanchez is married to Horacio Sanchez, and they have three adult sons, Horacio, Cristian and Jesse.