Emielle Nischik appointed OSBA executive director

Published: September 11, 2024

The OSBA Board has appointed a public education true believer to lead the association as it charges forward to address issues of students' needs, school funding, absenteeism and governance accountability.

"Public education has changed the entire trajectory of my family for generations," said Emielle (pronounced Emily) Nischik, OSBA's new executive director. "Because of the education I received, my children will have a better start than I had. I want to give that gift to all Oregon's families."

The OSBA Board voted Wednesday, Sept. 11, to approve Nischik's appointment. The Board went through a rigorous public process to establish standards for the job and identify the best candidate. Nischik was named acting executive director in November and interim executive director in June. The Board saw Nischik handle a legislative session and shepherd the staff through several changes.

OSBA Board President Sami Al-Abdrabbuh said Nischik has demonstrated her deep understanding of the varied needs of Oregon's children as well as what it takes to lead a diverse organization toward the common goal of student success.

"Emielle has the vision to build the coalitions necessary to move our education system toward lifting up each student and giving everyone a chance to flourish," said Al-Abdrabbuh, a Corvallis School Board member.

Nischik is officially taking the helm just as OSBA enters its busy outreach season with a potentially pivotal 2025 legislative season on the horizon.

The 2025 Legislative Roadshow kicks off Sept. 30 in Salem. OSBA has planned 20 stops over six weeks for staff to meet school district leaders and talk about the future. Nischik will be among the OSBA staff building connections for community engagement and legislative advocacy.

The 2025 OSBA Annual Convention in November will bring hundreds of Oregon school board members together to increase their skills, network and meet the OSBA staff who serve their needs.

All the while, negotiations behind the scenes are paving the way for 2025 legislation, including setting a State School Fund that accurately reflects schools' costs. The Legislature will also likely explore crucial issues such as attendance, technology in classrooms and school staffing.

The governor's budget, which is due by Dec. 1, will lay the first official marker before the session opens in January. OSBA has been working closely with Gov. Tina Kotek's office and legislators to establish a funding floor estimate that more accurately matches schools' actual continuing costs while also advocating for the additional state investments that could increase student success.

Chris Cronin, who will be the OSBA Board president in 2025, said she is looking forward to working alongside Nischik.

"Emielle is an outstanding leader who brings experience, heart and wisdom to the essential work of advocating for students and schools all over the state," Cronin said.

Cronin, who is a Grant Education Service District board member, especially appreciates that Nischik has lived the challenges facing many rural students.

Nischik got her start in the Mapleton School District between Florence and Eugene. She knows what it's like to be houseless and to struggle to have basic needs met. She said her public school was crucial to connecting to her community, making sure not only that she received an education but also that she thrived with regular meals, health care, plentiful activities and supportive adults in her life.

Nischik's family moved to Eugene at the end of her junior year, and she had a chance to experience some of the advantages a larger school can provide that small schools struggle to create.

Nischik's public education and the web of support it created launched her to earn a bachelor's degree from Oregon State and a master's in public administration from Portland State. She joined College Possible in 2015, rising to the Oregon chapter's top spot in 2020. The nonprofit helps economically disadvantaged children reach college. She became the OSBA deputy executive director in June 2023.

"Public education set me up for success, allowing me to create a meaningful life full of opportunity and choice," Nischik said. "I want to pay that forward and see all students thrive, no matter their circumstances."

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
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