Leadership
Superintendent
Dr. Wendy Birhanzel is proud to serve as Superintendent of Harrison School District 2 and was honored with the 2025 CASSA Colbert Cushing Award, 2025 AASA Woman Superintendent of the Year, and Colorado’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year. With more than 20 years of experience in public education across California and Colorado, she holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership in Urban School Settings from the University of Southern California. Driven by a deep commitment to providing every student with a high-quality education and meaningful opportunities for success, Dr. Birhanzel brings this mission home as a parent too—her own son is a proud graduate of Sierra High School.
As Principal of Centennial Elementary and Wildflower Elementary, her leadership helped both schools earn National Blue Ribbon status and recognition as National Title I Distinguished Schools. Later, as Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Officer, she expanded rigorous academic programming to benefit all students. Her dedication has been recognized with the Mayor’s Young Leader Award and her college’s Young Alumni Achievement Award.
As Superintendent, Dr. Birhanzel collaborates with staff and community partners to provide students with exceptional academics and comprehensive supports—from free college courses and athletics to accessible tutoring, and vital wraparound services such as mental health support, food security, and housing assistance. Under her leadership, the district has been named the best education workplace in the region and has achieved its highest staff retention rates.
An advocate for adequate school funding and student opportunity, Dr. Birhanzel serves on several local and national boards, amplifying the voices of students and educators alike. Her leadership and impact have been recognized with numerous honors, including being named one of Southeast Express’s “22 to Watch in ’22,” a Woman Making a Difference by the League of Women Voters, a DEI Transformational Leader by the Colorado Springs Business Journal, the 2023 Colorado Springs Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts, and Solid Rock CDC’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award.
Each day, Dr. Birhanzel remains guided by a single question: How can we create better outcomes for students and families?
