Biography
Dr. Mark Daniel joined Fort Wayne Community Schools as the 15th Superintendent of FWCS on July 1, 2020. He encourages innovation and risk-taking as he leads the largest school corporation in Indiana with 51 schools, nearly 29,000 students and more than 4,000 employees.
Dr. Daniel is a strong advocate of business and community partnerships as evidenced by the development of FWCS’ portrait of a graduate with three Schools of Success pipelines addressing high-need careers in Northeast Indiana. FWCS is also partnering with Junior Achievement of Northeast Indiana to bring JA 3DE, a transformative education model, to its five high schools.
Prior to joining FWCS, Dr. Daniel served as superintendent of McLean County Unit 5 School District in Normal, Illinois. His first superintendent position was with the Dowagiac Union Schools in Southwest Michigan.
Dr. Daniel is a graduate of North Side High School, making him the second FWCS alumni to become FWCS superintendent in the district’s history. His first teaching job was at North Side High School, where he taught algebra, geometry, and accounting. He also coached football, basketball, baseball, track and golf. He left North Side to become assistant principal at Leo Junior-Senior High School in 1995 and took over as Leo principal in 1998. Under his leadership, Leo was named a National Blue Ribbon, National Model School and Indiana Four Star School.
Dr. Daniel earned a Ph.D. from Indiana State University in Educational Administration. Additionally, he holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary Educational Administration from Indiana University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Toledo. Other professional experiences for Dr. Daniel include serving on the following boards and organizations: Erin’s House for Grieving Children, Fort Wayne Rotary, Wildcat, Business Forum, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, Love Fort Wayne and Love Your Schools, and Parkview Hospital Board of Directors. Dr. Daniel is a Rotary International Harris Fellow and a presenter at the International Center of Educational Leadership Model Schools Conference, the International Cell Conference, Large Unit Districts Association of Illinois and numerous other Illinois and Indiana State Conferences. Dr. Daniel is married to his wife, Janet and together they have four daughters and two grandsons.
