Kristin Waters:

PhD ’06, Morgridge College of Education

In 2011, President Barack Obama singled out Kristin Waters for special praise in his State of the Union Address, noting that as principal of Denver’s Bruce Randolph School, once rated one of the worst schools in Colorado, she’d presided over a transformation that culminated with 97 percent of the school’s seniors receiving their diploma. Just as important, 95 percent of the students in that senior class were admitted to college. Within Denver Public Schools, Waters also has served as assistant to the superintendent for reform and innovation and most recently as high school instructional superintendent.

In fall 2011, Waters heads back to school to serve as principal of Denver’s South High School. “I miss kids,” she said. “It’s that simple.” She also sees a unique challenge at South, which “has always been a magnet program for students coming from other countries.” Waters aims to help teachers challenge each student appropriately.