By Parmindar Miglani
Few educators shape lives in ways that ripple far beyond a single classroom. Fewer still influence entire systems while never losing sight of the students at the center of the work. Dr. Suruchi Singh’s career tells a story of steady resolve, deep humanity, and a lifelong commitment to ensuring that every student, especially those with the greatest needs, has a path to belonging and success.
Singh’s passion for education took root early, shaped by a deep appreciation for language, learning, and the power of a well crafted idea. As a student, she was drawn to how words could illuminate complex issues and give voice to those too often overlooked. That early inclination led her to earn a master’s degree in English literature, where she refined her ability to think critically and communicate with clarity and purpose. She later completed a master’s degree in education, grounding her love of language in the practical work of teaching, learning, and leadership. A lifelong learner by nature, Singh has consistently viewed education not as a credential to be earned, but as an ongoing responsibility to grow, reflect, and improve.
Singh currently serves as the Senior Chief Executive Officer of Student Services, SELPA, and Special Education for an Orange County school district. In this role, she oversees a broad continuum of supports for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs, from early childhood through adult transition. Her responsibilities span special education programming, mental health and counseling services, behavior and intervention systems, and the development and oversight of legally required individualized education plans. She also leads the district’s Special Education Local Plan Area, coordinating services, funding, and professional learning to ensure schools are equipped to meet both student needs and state and federal requirements. As SELPA administrator, she serves as the primary liaison between the local school district and the California Department of Education in all matters related to special education.
At its heart, Singh’s work is about building bridges between schools and families, between policy and practice, and between what is mandated and what is possible. Whether advising district leaders, supporting educators, or contributing to statewide conversations, her focus remains constant equity, dignity, and lasting impact. Throughout her career, her work and efforts have achieved results that transformed the lives of students and families highest graduation rates, reductions in suspensions and dropouts, and inclusive programs that became models for the state. From early literacy to adult transition pathways, the programs she leads have consistently given students a chance to succeed, no matter their background or ability. For the students and families she serves, success is not measured in policies alone, but in doors opened and futures reshaped.
Her journey to district leadership began where many of the most meaningful education stories do, in the classroom. Singh started her career as a special education instructional aide, working directly with students and learning firsthand the challenges and possibilities of inclusive education. Those early experiences continue to inform her leadership, grounding it in empathy, credibility, and an unshakable understanding of what educators and students truly need to learn and thrive.
Her work as a Teacher on Special Assignment, followed by service as a special education coordinator, marked a pivotal shift from impacting individual classrooms to shaping entire departments, schools, and programs. Along the way, her leadership and instructional excellence were widely recognized. She was named Teacher of the Year, ranked among the top fifteen educators in Orange County, honored as Educator of the Year within her district, and received the Orange County Meritorious Educator award. She was subsequently appointed Director of Special Education in her district, where she led complex systems while advancing inclusive practices.
As her career progressed, so did her educational journey and influence. She completed her doctoral degree in organizational leadership. Thereafter, she was selected as Executive Director of Special Education by her current district, a role in which her vision and results quickly gained attention. She was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Special Education and SELPA, and most recently to Senior Chief Executive Officer of Student Services, SELPA, and Special Education, an expanded role that reflects both the scope of her expertise and the trust placed in her leadership. Beyond her district, Singh holds several key leadership roles within the State SELPA, where she contributes to advancing and strengthening special education practices statewide.
There was a period in Singh’s life when the future felt uncertain and the weight of personal challenges threatened to pull her off course. The obstacles she faced were real, and at times overwhelming, moments when stepping away and giving up would have been understandable. Instead, she chose to persevere. Those experiences sharpened her resolve and deepened her empathy. What could have derailed her instead reshaped her, teaching her that adversity, when faced with purpose and courage, can become a powerful catalyst for growth. Today, that hard earned perspective lives in her work, guiding how she leads, how she supports educators, and how she advocates for students whose own paths are anything but easy.
While never the focus of her work, her leadership has drawn recognition from colleagues across California. Singh has been named the Association of California School Administrators Region Seventeen Administrator of the Year, and programs developed under her guidance have earned multiple prestigious Golden Bell Awards from the California School Boards Association for innovation and measurable improvements in student outcomes. She has also been honored as Administrator of the Year within her district and received the PTA Administrator of the Year award. Most recently, her district was selected for the inaugural and highly coveted IMPACT Award from the California State Advisory Commission on Special Education, an honor that drew numerous nominations from districts across the state.
While the awards are a testament to her leadership, Singh is quick to shift the accolades to the educators, specialists, administrators, and support staff who make the work possible. She consistently emphasizes that meaningful change is never the result of a single individual, but of strong teams committed to shared purpose and collective responsibility. Throughout her career, those teams have helped achieve outcomes that changed lives.
Beyond public education, Singh has also shaped future leaders as a university professor, teaching at both the master’s and doctoral levels and serving on dissertation panels for future doctoral degree candidates. She views higher education as a way to give back, connecting research to real world practice while mentoring the next generation of educators and administrators.
Driven by a genuine commitment to continual learning and professional growth, Singh has consistently sought opportunities to deepen her own skill set in service of students, families, and systems. Her pursuit of advanced preparation led her to complete coursework in mediation through the Center for Dispute Resolution and through the Strauss Institute at Pepperdine University. She also completed the Women’s Negotiation Program, strengthening her ability to lead complex conversations with clarity and care. In addition, she is a UCLA PEERS trainer and has received advanced preparation in the psychology of leadership. She has served on several professional panels and led scholarly presentations, viewing scholarship, leadership, and reflection as inseparable parts of her work.
Today, Singh sees one of her most important professional roles as that of a mentor and leadership coach, guiding aspiring administrators with insight drawn from both professional achievement and personal challenge. Her message is consistent and clear leadership is about vision, persistence, and courage.
In the end, Singh’s story is not only about the barriers she overcame, but about the countless doors she has opened for others. Through lived experience, thoughtful leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of education, she continues to show what is possible when purpose leads the way.