“I am grateful and honored to have been selected by the Board of Education to serve as the next Superintendent of Auburn-Washburn.”
HYA is proud to celebrate another successful superintendent search with the selection of Dr. Katie Collier as the next superintendent of Auburn-Washburn USD 437 in Kansas. Her leadership is set to begin on July 1, 2026, marking an exciting new chapter for the district and its community.
This appointment follows a comprehensive national search led in partnership with HYA. The process was designed to be both thorough and inclusive, incorporating community surveys, stakeholder focus groups, public forums, and multiple rounds of board interviews. This approach ensured that the district’s leadership priorities were clearly defined and aligned with the expectations of students, staff, families, and the broader community.
Dr. Collier brings more than three decades of experience in public education, with a career spanning roles from classroom teacher to district-level leadership. She has built a strong reputation for instructional leadership, organizational effectiveness, and a commitment to student success.
Her selection reflects Auburn-Washburn’s commitment to identifying a leader who can build on the district’s strong foundation while guiding continued growth and innovation. With the retirement of longtime superintendent Dr. Scott McWilliams approaching, this transition represents both continuity and opportunity for the district.
HYA’s role in this process underscores the importance of a strategic, community-informed approach to leadership selection. By engaging stakeholders, facilitating meaningful dialogue, and supporting the Board throughout each stage of the search, HYA helped ensure a successful outcome grounded in trust and alignment.
We congratulate Dr. Collier and the Auburn-Washburn community on this important milestone and look forward to the continued impact of strong leadership in the years ahead.
Have Positions to Fill? HYA Can Help.
HYA’s search services empower districts to recruit and build strong, student-focused leadership teams through a transparent, community-driven process, ensuring boards can make confident decisions while maintaining focus on what matters most: student success.
