Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick/Johns Hopkins University PDK Chapter Endowed Scholarship
The Johns Hopkins University Chapter of PDK has created the Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick Endowed Scholarships to honor Nancy Grasmick, Maryland’s first female state superintendent and the U.S.’s longest serving appointed schools chief. A 30-year member of the JHU PDK chapter, Dr. Grasmick is known for her strong focus on student achievement, teacher quality, parent involvement, public school funding, and early childhood education.
Dr. Grasmick received her doctorate from the Johns Hopkins University, her master’s degree from Gallaudet University, and her bachelor’s degree from Towson University. Her career began as a teacher of deaf children and she subsequently served as a classroom and resource teacher, principal, supervisor, assistant superintendent, and associate superintendent in the Baltimore County Public Schools. In 1991, the Maryland State Board of Education appointed her as state superintendent of schools.
Dr. Grasmick has received numerous awards for her visionary leadership, including the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, the 2009 Presidential Citation Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers, the Civitas International Leader Award, and the National PTA Life Achievement Award. She is the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Education Commission of the States’ James Bryant Conant Award for her outstanding contributions to American education. In 2005, Maryland’s education headquarters was renamed the Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building.
Dr. Grasmick is a frequent guest columnist in such journals as Education Week, Educational Leadership, and School Administrator. Her innovative ideas and proven successes have been featured in such media outlets as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the BBC.
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