Gladys Cruz

Dr. Gladys I. Cruz has established a distinguished career in education over a 40-year span. As district superintendent for Questar III Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), Cruz serves a dual role – acting as the representative of the State Commissioner of Education, and CEO of the BOCES, which provides programs and services to more 650 districts across the state. Questar III directly educates more than 1,600 students in programs ranging from pre-K to adult education. Since joining Questar III in 1998, Cruz has served as chief operating officer/deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of school improvement and BETAC specialist. This year, Cruz is president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, representing the more than 13,000 public school superintendents nationwide. Cruz began her career as a teacher in Puerto Rico and her experience ranges from K-12 schools to universities in New York State and Puerto Rico. In addition, she worked briefly as director of curriculum services for the New York State Education Department.Cruz holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from University at Albany. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in Bilingual Education and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and English from La Universidad del Turabo in Puerto Rico.