Orono Superintendent Recognized by Peers for Excellence

Information provided by the Orono School District

Dr. Karen Orcutt, Superintendent of Orono Schools, has been named an Administrator of Excellence by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA). She will be honored for her leadership, concern for students and active involvement in professional and community affairs at a statewide recognition ceremony at the MASA spring conference March 14-15. 

Orcutt has served as Orono’s superintendent since 2004, working to provide the best possible educational programs for students. In 2008, MASA named Orcutt its Richard Green Scholar for her work on characteristics of resiliency in leadership and supporting administrators’ abilities to be successful both personally and professionally.

This year, Orono was named a 2013 Minnesota District of Character by Synergy & Leadership Exchange in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education and the national organization, Character Education Partnership, for district efforts to promote strong character in every one of its schools and programs. Orcutt is an active member of MASA, serving on the board of directors and various committees. She also served on the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) board of directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from the University of Minnesota, master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Minnesota State University-Mankato and a doctorate in education leadership from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. 

Each year, MASA recognizes members for their contributions to public education. MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors, and other educators throughout the state dedicated to educational leadership for students.