Press Release: New Chief of Staff and Associate Superintendent for Communications and Community Engagement Announced

July 1, 2025

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) announced two key appointments to the district’s executive leadership team. Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph named Dr. Deann M. Collins as Chief of Staff and Denise Douglas as Associate Superintendent for Communications and Community Engagement. These strategic appointments mark a significant step in aligning the district’s operations to Dr. Joseph’s vision of excellence, equity, and authentic engagement.

As Chief of Staff, Dr. Collins will ensure coherence and accountability across the Superintendent’s executive team. She will oversee the Offices of Communications, Performance Management, Research and Evaluation, and Government Relations, Compliance, and Procedures. Dr. Collins brings deep state and district-level expertise to the role, having most recently served as Deputy State Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at the Maryland State Department of Education. There, she led nationally recognized initiatives in literacy, high-quality instructional materials, special education reform, and the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

“Dr. Collins is an exemplary leader who brings both the experience and heart we need at this critical time,” said Dr. Joseph. “She answered the call to serve with humility, and her leadership will ensure our systems are aligned and our goals are met. As a resident and parent in Prince George’s County, her passion for this work is personal — and our children will benefit from that every day.”

Joining the leadership team as Associate Superintendent for Communications and Community Engagement, Denise Douglas brings a profound understanding of Prince George’s County, its diverse communities, and the power of public trust. A nationally recognized communications leader and recipient of the 2024 Public Relations Society of America “Impact” Award, Douglas most recently served as Director of Communications for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she spearheaded multilingual outreach initiatives, crafted compelling messaging strategies, and secured major media coverage on platforms such as CNN, MSNBC, and NewsNation.

A former award-winning journalist, Douglas also spent nearly a decade at Prince George’s Community Television, where she became known for stories that elevated the voices and experiences of Latino families and other underrepresented groups in the county.

“Denise Douglas is a communicator of deep integrity and courage,” said Dr. Joseph. “She understands the importance of telling the district’s story clearly, honestly, and consistently. More importantly, she is committed to listening — to building two-way relationships with our community that foster trust and transparency.”

Both leaders assume their roles immediately and will play a central part in executing Dr. Joseph’s 100-Day Entry Plan, which prioritizes family engagement, academic improvement, human capital development, alignment to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and strategic collaboration with all stakeholders.

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