SAGINAW, MI - Saginaw Intermediate School District is proud to celebrate the outstanding academic and professional achievements of Dr. Erin Senkowski, who recently completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University.
Alongside this academic accomplishment, Dr. Senkowski was also honored with the prestigious Marvin Beekman Award from the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) in 2023, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the field of special education. As the Executive Director of Special Education, she has influenced the Great Lakes Bay Region through her dedication to high-quality, equitable education and her advocacy for students with disabilities. Dr. Senkowski shared her personal reflections on achieving this significant milestone, "Completing my doctorate has always been a goal of mine, and to do it in my role as I seek better ways to support and improve outcomes for our students with disabilities across Saginaw County makes it even more rewarding."
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier also expressed his admiration and pride, stating, "Congratulations to Dr. Erin Senkowski for receiving this pinnacle academic achievement. Successfully completing her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University represents Dr. Senkowski's modeled commitment to hard work and pursuit of academic excellence. Her fantastic accomplishment of earning this terminal degree will profoundly and positively impact her family and career. I am also proud of Saginaw ISD's dedication to nurturing and supporting team servant leaders who consistently strive for academic opportunities and advancement. I am proud to partner with Dr. Senkowski to fulfill our organization's mission and provide service, innovation, and empowerment to our educational community." Dr. Senkowski's leadership exemplifies Saginaw ISD's commitment to excellence, and we look forward to her continued influence and innovation in our community.
ABOUT DR. ERIN SENKOWSKI
Dr. Erin Senkowski serves as the Executive Director of Special Education for the Saginaw Intermediate School District. During her more than 20 years in education, she has served a variety of roles that support the advancement of students with exceptionalities across the educational setting.
Dr. Senkowski has spent her entire career serving students and families in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Prior to her work in Saginaw County, she served as a teacher for students with Autism and Emotional Impairments for the Midland County ESA. In 2005, she continued her teaching career with Saginaw Township Community Schools as a special education teacher for six years. She assumed her first leadership role in 2011 with the Saginaw ISD, where she served as the Special Education Supervisor assigned to the Freeland Community School District and Saginaw ISD Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. In 2014, she was promoted to the Assistant Director of Special Education for the Saginaw ISD and then again promoted to the Executive Director of Special Education in August of 2016. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the Special Education Department at Central Michigan University. In 2023, Dr. Senkowski was awarded the Beekman Award, the highest of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) honors.
Dr. Senkowski holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Arts in Special Education from Central Michigan University, and an Education Specialist Degree from Saginaw Valley State University. She holds teaching certifications in K-12 Special Education, Elementary Education, and English. She also holds a school administrative certification and full approval as a Director of Special Education in the State of Michigan. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University in 2024.
Dr. Senkowski's focus on providing high-quality, equitable educational experiences for all students, especially children with disabilities, runs deep. She continually works to advocate for the needs of students with disabilities by promoting partnerships across the region and state. She is actively involved on various state and national level committees, currently serving as the co-chair of the Legislative Advocacy Committee for MAASE), where she works closely to provide input on pending legislation and policy impact on students and educators across the state. Locally, Dr. Senkowski serves on the Saginaw United Way Board of Directors.
Erin enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and being outdoors. She and her husband Gary, who is also an educator, are the proud parents of three children Owen, Adelyn, and Eli.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, five public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Supervisor