Eugene School District 4J

The Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Miriam Miralles Mickelson as the district’s next superintendent, following a comprehensive national search and community-informed selection process.

Dr. Mickelson brings more than two decades of public education experience, having served as a teacher, high school principal, executive director, and superintendent in multiple Washington state school districts. A values-driven leader with a deep commitment to student success, she is known for her relational approach, instructional leadership, and unwavering focus on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Dr. Mickelson immigrated to the United States at the age of 22 and has since dedicated her life to public education. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Seattle Pacific University, and her career has been marked by improved graduation rates, expanded early learning access, strengthened multilingual family engagement, and partnerships that reflect the needs and strengths of diverse school communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mickelson to 4J,” Board Chair Jenny Jonak said. “She brings a wealth of professional and life experience and a heart centered on students. From the start of this process, the board has been guided by our community’s desire for a leader who is visible, collaborative, and deeply grounded in 4J’s values. Dr. Mickelson embodies these qualities. We are extremely excited for the future we will build together.”

Dr. Mickelson’s selection follows a robust search guided by deep community engagement, with students, staff, families, and local partners helping shape the leadership qualities and criteria the district was seeking. This engagement included surveys, facilitated focus groups, and panels that represented a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives at every step, ensuring the final decision reflected the hopes and values of the entire 4J community.

Dr. Mickelson joins 4J following her recent departure from the Sedro-Woolley School District in Washington, where she served as superintendent for four years. Her separation was a mutual, no-cause agreement following a shift in board composition shaping the district’s direction. She remains proud of the work accomplished during her tenure, which will inform her collaborative, values-driven leadership in 4J. Dr. Mickelson becomes just the third female superintendent in the district's 171-year history, following Margaret Nichols (1984-98) and Cydney Vandercar (interim superintendent 2020-22).

“I am deeply honored to join Eugene School District 4J,” Dr. Mickelson said. “Public education changed the course of my life, and I carry that responsibility and privilege with me into this role. Eugene is a community that deeply values education, and I’m excited to listen, learn, and work together to ensure every student is prepared for a future filled with hope and possibility.”

Dr. Mickelson will officially begin her tenure as superintendent on July 1, 2025, and she looks forward to meeting students, staff, families, and partners across the district this fall.