Superintendent Michael Hinojosa has announced the appointment of Toni Cordova as chief communications officer for the Dallas Independent School District. She will begin her duties effective Dec. 2, 2015.
Cordova previously served as chief of staff for the Albuquerque (New Mexico) Public Schools, where she oversaw communications, student and community service, and the board office for the state’s largest school district. A leader in public education for 23 years, she has led communications efforts for five school districts, and served as point person for strategy for school districts in San Jose, California, Tucson, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas.
“Toni has a very deep understanding of the role of communications in urban education. Over time, she has demonstrated the skills needed to help school systems better communicate effectively and strategically,” Hinojosa said. “We are fortunate to add Toni’s talents and drive to our team.”
Cordova said she envisions an increasingly focused communications effort for Dallas ISD.
“I am very excited to join Dallas ISD. There’s a strong foundation for communications already in place, along with the resources and support to become even more focused and intentional,” Cordova said.
Before arriving in Albuquerque in May, Cordova served for three years as the chief strategy officer and chief of staff for the Santa Clara County (California) Office of Education, where she developed a strategic plan to transform and recalibrate the organization’s goals and priorities. She also served for two years as the government and community relations director for the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso, Texas.
Her communications leadership resume is extensive. She has been a central communicator for the Isaac, Sunnyside and Tucson school districts in Arizona and the chief of communications for the San Francisco Public Library.
Cordova graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and later earned a Master of Business Administration, also from the University of Arizona.
