Deborah A. Gist
Interim Director, State Education Office
Deborah A. Gist has served as the executive director of
Serve DC, formally known as the DC Commission on National and Community
Service, since August 2001. As Executive Director, Gist designed and
implemented plans to create the Mayor's office on volunteerism and
"state" office for national service programs in the District
of Columbia. In this role, Gist oversaw a budget of more than $4 million
in local, federal and private funds, supervised a staff of 14, and
worked with stakeholders to create a city-wide strategic plan for
service and volunteerism.
Ms. Gist's accomplishments at Serve DC include achieving
a 500 percent increase in funding for programs granted to the community,
including AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps and Learn and Serve; creating the DC
Citizen Corps, which has trained more than 1,600 volunteers in emergency
preparedness; and launching several new programs, such as the Mayor's
Community Service Awards and the DC Youth Advisory Council.
Prior to joining the District government, Gist was the
director of marketing and development for Discovery Creek Children's
Museum. She conceptualized and directed the museum's comprehensive
fundraising programs and led new fundraising initiatives for contributed
revenue, major gifts, and program-specific support.
Gist also served as a senior policy advisor at the US
Department of Education. She advised the Deputy Secretary on selected
initiatives and priority issues, analyzed proposed policy initiatives,
and conducted research and feasibility studies.
In 1996 Gist founded Hillsborough Reads, a literacy
program in Florida, and served as director until 1999. Under her
leadership, the program had a successful impact on the literacy of young
children, and the literacy tutoring model she developed also received
national recognition.
The foundation of Gist's career is her eight years of
experience as a public school teacher. She taught grades first through
third, served as a model teacher and trainer for other educators, and
was twice named Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Gist earned a Master in Public Administration from
Harvard University, where she was also selected as a Kennedy Fellow and
received the Littauer Fellowship for academic excellence and community
service. She holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from
the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Education from the University
of South Florida.
She is active in the District of Columbia as a volunteer
for START DC; as a foster caregiver for homeless animals; and as a
Sunday school teacher and member of the board of Deaconesses at National
City Christian Church. Ms. Gist lives in Ward 6.
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Government of the District of Columbia
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2005 |
CONTACT: SHARON GANG
202-727-9811
VINCE MORRIS
202-727-6846
JOHN STOKES (SEO)
202-724-2010 |
MAYOR ANNOUNCES HEAD OF STATE EDUCATION OFFICE
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams announced today that he has appointed Deborah A. Gist as the DC State Education Officer for the DC State Education Office
(SEO).
"Deborah is a proven leader - she has done a terrific job in the ten months she's been at the State Education Office and previously as the director of Serve DC, and I expect her to continue this exemplary effort as director," said Mayor Williams.
Ms. Gist has served as the interim State Education Officer since July 2004. Under Ms. Gist's leadership, the SEO has improved and expanded several key programs. The summer meal program served more than 1.1 million meals to District children in 2004, a 20 percent increase in meals from the previous year. The program has also extended its reach, serving meals to an additional 5,724 children in 2004. This year, the SEO implemented the DC OneApp, which allows students to apply for all of the District's higher education grant programs using a single application form. In addition, the SEO launched the SEO Ed Digest, a free online tool distributed monthly to key stakeholders regarding national research on urban K-12 education.
Prior to serving as the interim State Education Officer, Ms. Gist was the Executive Director of Serve DC for three years. Throughout her career, Ms. Gist has focused on improving educational opportunities for children. She was the director of marketing and development for Discovery Creek Children's Museum in Washington, DC, where she conceptualized and directed the museum's comprehensive fundraising programs, and she also served as a senior policy advisor at the US Department of Education.
In 1996, Ms. Gist founded Hillsborough Reads, a literacy program in Florida, and served as its director until 1999. The foundation of Ms. Gist's career is her eight years of experience as a public school teacher in Ft. Worth, Texas and Tampa, Florida.
Ms. Gist's appointment will require confirmation from the DC Council.
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