DuPage Schools Superintendent Darlene Ruscitti

Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti has served as the regional superintendent of schools for DuPage County, and is running for re-election. She is the first woman elected to the position since its inception in 1854. Ruscitti has been a school board and PTO president, teacher, staff developer, administrator and the assistant regional superintendent of schools for DuPage County. Community and professional involvements include the DuPage County Strategic Planning Initiative, DuPage Work Force Investment, DuPage Youth Council, DuPage Juvenile Justice Commission, Congressional Conference on Civic Education and Illinois Task Force on Education Accountability. Awards and recognitions include the Leonardo da Vinci Award from the Illinois Order of the Sons of Italy in America, the Impresa Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Women’s Division, Educator of the Year from the DuPage Mental Illness Association, as well as the Lamp of Learning Award, Outstanding Woman Education Leader of the Year for DuPage County award, Friends of Education Award and a Lincoln Public Service Fellowship. Ruscitti earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern Illinois University and her doctorate from Loyola University.