Dr. Elaine Collins

Dr. Elaine Collins has worked as an executive search consultant and a governance consultant for the California School Boards Association for the past 7 years, conducting superintendent searches and teaching in the Masters in Governance Program. Executive search experience includes working with districts ranging in size from 400 students to 30,000 students to advise and assist school boards in selecting a superintendent.

Recently, as an associate professor at the University of La Verne, Elaine taught in the doctoral program for organizational leadership and advised student dissertations. La Verne is noted for its exemplary program, and more California superintendents hold degrees from La Verne than from any other university.

Elaine was a most successful superintendent in the St. Helena Unified School District in California where she was responsible for the education of 1,800 K-12 students. She was also deputy superintendent in a district of 25,000 students in Washington State, accountable for the daily operations of the district. Other administrative experience includes assistant principal and principal at the high school level, as well as district curriculum director. Elaine was also a middle school and high school English teacher and counselor.

Other experience includes serving on several community boards, such as Rotary, St. Helena Hospital, and Boys and Girls Club. She also chaired several statewide professional conferences and has often been a presenter.

Elaine’s formal education consists of a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Washington and a Masters Degree and a Doctorate in Education from Seattle University.

She was also honored with the Urban League of Seattle’s Equal Life Chances Award and was named an Executive Educator 100. She is a PTA Golden Acorn recipient. Elaine still “keeps up with the kids” by regularly volunteering in her grandson’s kindergarten classroom.