2025 ACSA Superintendents Symposium

Julie A. Vitale, Ph.D. serves as the Superintendent of the Oceanside Unified School District. Dr. Vitale has held the positions of assistant superintendent, director, high school principal, coordinator, assistant principal, and teacher. Dr. Vitale earned her Ph.D. in Urban Educational Administration from Claremont Graduate University. She earned a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University San Bernardino and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the University of LaVerne. Dr. Vitale maintains an administrative credential and her California teaching credential. Dr. Vitale has taught for Concordia University since 2007 and assisted with the design of their Ed.D. Program. In 2015, Dr. Vitale was named as the Western Riverside County Association of School Managers Superintendent of the Year. Claremont Graduate University (CGU) honored her as a Sally Loyd Casanova Distinguished Alumni Panelist in 2017 and in 2022 CGU honored Dr. Vitale with their Urban Leadership Alumni Achievement Award. The San Diego County Office of Education awarded Dr. Vitale with their Lighthouse Award as an Equity Champion in 2021. The Equity Champion award goes to a community leader who encompasses the light necessary for people to come together and create multiple opportunities for all students and families in pursuit of equitable outcomes and opportunities. She serves on the Governing Board for AASA (The School Superintendents Association) and as an AASA mentor to Aspiring Female Superintendents. Additionally she serves on the Governing Board for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). Dr. Vitale was instrumental in the creation of the inaugural Lead with Pride Summit, sponsored by ACSA and served as the conference chair. The conference was the first of its kind focused on creating safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ students and staff. She also served as the Chair for the San Diego County Office of Education LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. In June of 2022, Dr. Vitale was the keynote speaker for the North County LGBT Center’s Pride by the Beach celebration. Dr. Vitale has presented at national, state, and local conferences and is published on various topics including: creating affirming schools for LGBT students and staff, whole system reform, and instructional technology.