Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson is a lifelong educator. She is an instructional architect who creates educational environments where all children can reach their optimum potential. On July 1, 2015 she assumed the position of Superintendent of Oakland County Schools. In this role she has added her years of educational experience and vast leadership skills, to support the academic achievement of over 200,000 students in Oakland County’s 28 public school districts, public school academies and non-public schools. She leads an organization dedicated to providing services directly to students through the Oakland Schools Technical Campuses, Early College programs, project-based, blended-learning programs, programs and services offered to children with special needs and the birth-to-Kindergarten population. Oakland Schools also works directly with educators to provide high-quality professional development and personal learning opportunities. Prior to this role, she served 14 months as the Oakland Schools Chief of Staff.
In 1992, she co-founded, and still continues to serve on the board of, the Minority Women’s Network which supports women and educators of color across the county returning to school to complete their doctoral degrees. She has remained a steadfast member of equity-focused organizations such as the Michigan Education Justice Coalition and the Oakland County Employment Diversity Council. Known as an outspoken advocate on equity issues for women and educators of color, she was honored by the School Superintendent’s Association’s (AASA) as a recipient of the 2019 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award which recognizes leaders whose attributes include a personal commitment to diversifying the field of education with high quality leaders and ensuring the best education for all students. She was also honored with the AASA “2019 Women in School Leadership Award”. The national award recognizes her leadership, strength in communication, dynamic professionalism and her extensive community involvement.
In addition, Dr. Cook-Robinson has received a number of accolades, both as a leader in education and as a dedicated community member, including being named 2013 “Michigan State Superintendent of the Year” by the Michigan Association of School Administrators, “National Finalist, Superintendent of the Year” by the American Association of School Administrators, Wayne State University College of Education Alumni Association’s “Distinguished Educator” award and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Southfield Alumnae Chapter’s “Educator of the Year” award. She received the 2015 Professor Arthur Brown Endowed Memorial Award from Wayne State University.
Dr. Cook-Robinson holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Wayne State University, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Development and Supervision from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Michigan State University.
