Former TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist Starts New Job At University Of Tulsa

Former Tulsa Public Schools superintendent Deborah Gist has started a new job with the University of Tulsa. She hopes to use her education and leadership background to help students and faculty in her new capacity.

Gist previously worked as the TPS superintendent for eight years before resigning last summer following criticism and calls for leadership change from state superintendent Ryan Walters. Her new role is a senior advisor to TU President Brad Carson.

“I’m going to be working on issues related to education and the connection between education and community,” said Gist.

She says the new role comes after years of relationship-building during her time at TPS. Those conversations continued in the months following her resignation.

“It was a difficult time but also an opportunity to begin to prepare for a new chapter in my life,” she said.

Gist is glad that her new chapter will be written in her hometown.

“I think anyone who knows me knows how much I love Tulsa,” she said. “It was very important for me to be able to stay here in our community and continue to serve in a different role.”

Gist hopes to work with students and faculty locally and abroad. She is looking forward to engaging with the TU community and sharing her passion for leadership and education.

“I hope to inspire folks to be involved in the work of education, which is the best work in the world,” she said.

Gist praised the hiring of Dr. Ebony Johnson to be her TPS replacement.