Allison Sussna

As CICS' Chief of Schools, Allison’s primary responsibility is to ensure significant student achievement gains at the school level as measured by student outcomes and school improvement data and to support the network’s school leaders.

Allison has spent her career building academic systems that promote equity and maintain a laser-focus on the instructional core, ensuring all students have access to a rigorous, high-quality education, most recently as principal of Officer Donald J. Marquez K-8 Charter School located in Brighton Park. Prior to the principalship, Allison partnered with Washington, D.C. Public Schools as a member of the Principal Effectiveness Team, analyzing what it takes to train, support, and retain excellent school leaders.

Allison has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and an M.S.Ed in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and graduated with a B.A. in European History from Northwestern University. When not on campus, in the office, or on a Zoom meeting, Allison can be found sharing a meal with family and friends, singing along to her favorite musical theater songs, or reading historical novels, preferably on a beach.