Susan Salcido

Susan Salcido has served as our Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools. She was elected to lead the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), which supports 20 school districts, nearly 70,000 students, educators, families and valuable countywide partnerships.

While growing up in Santa Maria, Susan attended Adam Elementary, El Camino Junior High, and Santa Maria High School. She worked at her family-run small business and was regularly involved in school and community events, making frequent stops at the Santa Maria Public Library. Dr. Salcido later attended UCSB, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in education. She earned her doctorate in 2018 from University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where she focused on organizational change, leadership, and student equity.

Dr. Salcido began her teaching career at Dos Pueblos High School, and subsequently served as assistant principal of San Marcos High School and principal of Santa Barbara Junior High School. She joined SBCEO in 2006 as a director in the Curriculum and Instruction division and later served as assistant superintendent for the Instructional Services division. From 2012-17, she was the County Education Office’s deputy superintendent.

Since the beginning of her tenure as Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Salcido has been a strong supporter of school safety and an advocate for youth mental wellness, helping to access increased grant funding for both. She has been an integral partner with the county during the Thomas Fire and 1/9 debris flow, and the COVID-19 pandemic.