Dr. Mike Ward is an educational leader with over 29 years of public education service.  He is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Southern Mississippi.  In 2004, he concluded his second four-year term as State Superintendent of the Public Schools of North Carolina.  During his tenure, the state’s schools earned a reputation for being among the nation’s most rapidly improving systems of public education. 

Dr. Ward has served as a Policy Fellow with North Carolina State University’s Bill and Ida Friday Institute, and as an adjunct professor of educational leadership with the University.  He also serves as a consultant to new state public education officers.

Dr. Ward is past President of the Council of Chief State School Officers, whose members include state superintendents and education commissioners from across the country.  He is a member of the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the administration of the National Assessment of Education Progress. His past experience includes service as a local superintendent of schools.  He has also been a teacher, coach, and high school principal.  He is a published author, writing on a variety of professional topics.

Dr. Ward is a past recipient of North Carolina’s Superintendent of the Year award.  A three-time graduate of North Carolina State University, Dr. Ward received the University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.  He has also been honored as a doctor of humane letters by Catawba College, and is a recipient of the Presidential Medallion Award from Campbell University.