Distinguished Educator – Dr. Monica E. Goldson

Dr. Monica Goldson is the retired Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), serving for 32 years. Starting as a high school math teacher with aspirations of becoming an actuary, she quickly realized her passion for education. She rose through the ranks, holding positions such as principal, deputy superintendent, and chief operating officer before becoming CEO.

During her tenure, Dr. Goldson spearheaded the Blueprint Schools program, the first public-private partnership (P3) in the U.S. to build six new middle schools in just two years. Through both traditional and P3 models, she oversaw the construction of 17 new schools in five years. Before retiring, she highlighted progress in reversing pandemic-related learning losses. The 2023 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) showed PGCPS students outperforming several districts in English for grades 3-8, English 10, and Algebra 1.

Dr. Goldson earned three degrees from HBCUs: a bachelor’s in mathematics from Florida A&M, a master’s in school administration from Bowie State, and a doctorate in educational policy from Howard University. She serves on President Biden’s HBCU Advisory Panel and was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Education, where she is Vice President. Dr. Goldson has received numerous honors for her contributions to education.