Ward Andrus, ACSA

Dr. Ward Andrus is currently the Superintendent of Murrieta Valley Unified School District located in Riverside County, California. With over 22, 400 preschool - adult students, at 20 locations, he and his team work diligently to Inspire all Students to Think, to Learn, to Achieve, to Care.  Murrieta Valley is a well-recognized district with the top graduation rate in Riverside County and many more accolades.

Previously, Dr. Andrus served as the Central Union High School District Superintendent located in El Centro, CA. Prior to CUHSD, Dr. Andrus served in several administrative positions for the Placer County Office of Education, San Juan Unified School District, Folsom-Cordova Unified and the Stockton Unified School District.

Dr. Andrus earned his doctorate from the University of La Verne in Organizational Leadership, his Master of Arts degree from CSU Sacramento, and his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. In 2018, he was named the California Project Lead the Way Educational Leader of the Year for STEM Leadership. Dr. Andrus serves in various other positions with the California Coalition for Career and Technical Education, and ACSA’s Region XIX Southwest Administrators’ Association in south Riverside County

Dr. Andrus has served as a missionary in Peru and is fluent in Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys creating cherished memories with his talented wife Debbie (also an educator) and their four children, their spouses and five grandchildren.

Dr. Andrus has participated in visiting committees since 2005.  He has been assigned visits from Susanville to Calexico, from Redwood City to the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California as well.