Jeffrey Collier

Dr. Jeffrey Collier is a transformational educational leader, systems builder, and advocate for equitable opportunities whose nearly three decades of service in Michigan public education have been defined by innovation, collaboration, and a focused commitment to student success. With eight years of service as Superintendent of Au Gres-Sims School District and currently in his seventh year as Superintendent of Saginaw Intermediate School District, Dr. Collier brings 15 years of superintendent leadership experience to his work, advancing initiatives that have strengthened educational cultures and opportunities, fostered organizational sustainability, and expanded the collective impact of public education throughout Michigan.

Recognized for his visionary, student-centered approach to leadership, Dr. Collier champions the belief that meaningful change begins by challenging convention in divergent ways and asking, “What If & Why Not?” His leadership helped secure Saginaw County’s first special education enhancement millage in 48 years, renew and restore the countywide Career and Technical Education (CTE) millage, eliminate structural financial barriers for local school districts, acquire learning campuses, direct more than $25 million in capital improvements, expand early childhood and CTE programs, and establish innovative partnerships that prepare students and educators for the future.

His contributions to educational leadership have been recognized through his 2025 induction into Central Michigan University’s Doctorate in Educational Leadership Hall of Fame, and his commitment to equity, collaboration, and organizational excellence earned him the titles of Michigan’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year and Michigan’s 2021 Superintendent Communicator of the Year.

Dr. Collier is also the creator of Our Story®, a collective authorship framework that empowers educational organizations to strengthen culture, elevate community voices, and advance collective efficacy through positive community storytelling. Recognized and replicated beyond Michigan, the framework reflects his persistent belief that effective leadership is not simply about directing organizations, but about developing people, building capacity, and creating the conditions for others to thrive.

A dedicated servant-leader, Dr. Collier serves on numerous civic, nonprofit, and educational boards, including the Saginaw County Health Department, Saginaw Community Foundation, Saginaw Community Action Council, Saginaw County Crime Prevention Council, the SET SEG Foundation, and the Michigan Department of Education Innovation Task Force. His commitment to educational opportunity and community partnership extends to his continued support of the Saginaw NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner and Saginaw Valley State University’s (SVSU) Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Celebration.

Dr. Collier maintains a particularly meaningful relationship with SVSU, where he earned his Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2006 and an Education Specialist degree in 2008. He currently serves as the vice-Chair on SVSU’s Board of Fellows and also on the College of Education's External Advisory Board, helping strengthen partnerships between the university and Saginaw ISD, including the establishment of a 30% tuition and fee scholarship for eligible ISD employees.

Ultimately, Dr. Collier’s enduring resonance is not reflected in the recognition he receives, but in the organizations he sustainably strengthens, the leaders he develops, and the opportunities he creates for others. His career embodies the spirit of the Distinguished Alumni Award: a commitment to lifelong learning, professional excellence, service, and the transformative power of education.

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