SAN DIEGO — Leticia Oseguera is the Diocese of San Diego’s new Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1.
Oseguera currently serves as principal of Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy, the only TK to eighth grade Catholic dual-language school (English and Spanish) in San Diego County. In March, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) named her one of 13 recipients of its 2022 “Lead. Learn. Proclaim Award.”
As the new head of the diocesan Schools Office, Oseguera will succeed John Galvan, who is stepping down to serve as the NCEA’s director of catechetical assessments.
In a letter to pastors and principals, Bishop Robert McElroy said that he was “delighted” to announce Oseguera’s appointment. He noted the partnerships she had developed with the University of San Diego, Boston College and the San Diego County Office for Education.
Oseguera told The Southern Cross that she “will always be a teacher at heart.” But after 14 years in the classroom, she got involved in school leadership out of a desire to support more students.
Her new position is simply the next step.
“I love solving problems, finding solutions to complex issues, supporting teachers, supporting students,” said Oseguera, who has 19 years’ experience in education, including five as principal of Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy in Chula Vista. “Becoming superintendent provides me the opportunity to continue to serve Catholic schools while making a larger impact.”
“I want to ensure that our schools are not only surviving, but that they are thriving. … I want to make a difference.”
Oseguera already has the respect of her predecessor. After she had won the NCEA award, Galvan described her as “a consummate professional with high standards of excellence” and “a humble and hard worker who loves her school community and lives her Catholic school call to mission with integrity.”
Originally from a small town near the city of Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico, she immigrated as a child to San Diego with her parents. She holds master’s degrees in Education and in School Administration.
Before serving as principal of Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy, Oseguera was on the faculties of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, San Ysidro High School and South Hills High School in Los Angeles.
She lives in Chula Vista with her husband, Alex, and their two children.
Reflecting on her goals as superintendent, she said, “The ultimate goal is for each and every school in our diocese to have a successful and thriving program. The question should always be, How can we be better? How can we deliver academic excellence in a faith-filled environment? That is how we continue to make a difference in the lives of our students, by providing them with the highest-quality education, surrounded by our Catholic values, our Catholic faith.”
