Mike Swize, Ed.D. became Palm Springs Unified School District’s Superintendent of Schools on July 1, 2021.

Swize, who is originally from Colorado, and began his teaching career with Palm Springs Unified in 1990, has served as a teacher, bilingual programs coordinator, elementary and middle school principal and director of English Learners and Elementary Curriculum, before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in 2011.

Swize obtained his bachelor’s degree in history with an emphasis on Chicano Studies and Spanish from the University of Colorado, his master’s in Education Administration from Azusa Pacific University and his doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne. 

He is a member of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and a member and past president of the Palm Springs Leadership Association (PSLA). He was an ACSA Region XIX Marcus Foster Award Nominee in 2020, the recipient of the Inspiring Leader Award from OneFuture Coachella Valley in 2018 and the region and state ACSA Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year in 2014. He has also garnered several district awards for top administrator, principal, and teacher between 1993 and 2013.

Swize is married to his wife Joy who is a longtime PSUSD teacher and currently an Academic Coach at Cielo Vista Charter. His daughter, Gabi, is a senior at the University of Northern Colorado.