Traci Davis
Traci Davis has a distinguished career as an educator; she has worked in a variety of schools ranging from at-promise to affluent, high-achieving to in need of improvement, and has helped transform learning environments in elementary-, middle- and high schools. As the former superintendent of the Washoe County School District (WCSD) in Reno, NV, Traci Davis served more than 64,000 students, their families, and more than 8,000 employees. Her transformational and passionate educational leadership resulted in sweeping gains in student achievement and performance as the District worked toward its goal of “Every Child, By Name and Face, to Graduation.” Through her “deliberate and intentional” call to action Equity Initiative, the district’s graduation rates rose from 63% to 86% and significantly closed achievement gaps for ALL students.
Superintendent Davis was awarded the Nevada National Distinguished Principal Award in 2011 for her efforts to transform an at-promise school into a high-achieving school in Clark County. Under her leadership, William E. Snyder ES earned the distinguished title of high achieving. She has served as an academic manager, deputy superintendent, Title I specialist, and teacher on special assignment. She was named among “10 Women to Watch” by Nevada Business Magazine and was a finalist for the Sierra Nevada Powerful Women Awards 2018, sponsored by Northern Nevada Business Weekly. She has the distinguished honor of being the 2019 AASA National Dr. Effie Jones Humanitarian Award Winner for her long-standing commitment to her deliberate and intentional equity work.
She is a proud graduate of the inaugural class of AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy. Currently, she is a Lead Superintendent for AASA /Howard Urban Academy and the AASA National Equity Cohort. She serves as the Capstone Facilitator Superintendent for AASA/USC Rossier School of Education Urban Superintendents Academy. She continues to serve as an emeritus superintendent for various organizations, lead webinars, and speak nationally.
She continues her equity journey for all students by serving students as Department of Defense, Director of STARBASE Henderson. STARBASE Henderson provides an outstanding, unforgettable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educational experience for students and teachers in a hands-on, mind-on, hi-tech discovery inquiry-based environment on military installation.
STARBASE Henderson’s objectives are to expose youth to technological environments and provide positive role models, nurture a network of collaborators as well as build mutual goodwill within the community. STARBASE Henderson will focus on improving the STEM knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills of fifth graders from historically under-represented subpopulations in STEM careers, Inner-city and rural communities, racial or ethnic minorities, socio-economically disadvantaged, and low-performing and Title 1 schools.
As a native Nevadan, her passion for all students, especially those that have been historically excluded, is evidenced in her record of successful academic outcomes everywhere she has served. After 28 years in education, she continues to lead the journey for equitable outcomes for all students. Her motto is simple, “Achievement is not a place; it is a belief! We must have high expectations for every student. In order to address academic gaps, we must resolve systemic opportunity gaps.”
