Donna DeSiato '69

Donna J. DeSiato Ed.D. is a highly-respected leader in the field of public education who has proudly recognized Onondaga Community College for providing her with a strong academic foundation.

DeSiato earned her Humanities degree from OCC in 1969 followed by a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, a master's degree from SUNY Cortland, a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Oswego, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Oswego.

In 2005 she became Superintendent of East Syracuse Minoa (ESM) and has led the school district to unprecedented heights. In 2015 ESM was recognized at the White House as one of the first STEM Learning Ecosystems. In that same year DeSiato was presented with the Margaret Ashida STEM Leadership Award by the New York State STEM Education Collaborative. In 2016 she was named the STEM Woman of the Year by the CNY Stem Hub. In 2020 TACNY presented her with the STEM Outreach Individual of the Year. And during the 2021-2022 academic year she was named the New York State Superintendent of the Year by the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

DeSiato is a member of Onondaga Community College's Board of Trustees and a distinguished Alumni Faces honoree.