Dr. Michael Trevillion, for his distinguished service in education, dedicating his career to improving outcomes for students, strengthening educational systems and advancing the profession through research, innovation, and leadership.
Throughout his career, Michael has served in a wide range of impactful roles and throughout every position, he has remained committed to helping students succeed by developing educators, strengthening schools, and creating systems that allow every learner to reach their fullest potential.
Michael arrived at Mesa Community College questioning whether he could succeed in college and build a meaningful future through education. But while enrolled in a psychology course, one MCC professor fundamentally changed the course of his life.
He challenged Michael to recognize his own potential before he could recognize it himself. The investment made in one first-generation college student became the foundation for a lifetime devoted to helping others discover their own potential.
Since his time at MCC, Michael graduated Summa Cum Laude with a doctorate in Educational Administration. His scholarship and leadership were recognized by the Arizona School Administrators Higher Education Division with the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award.
His doctoral research on best practices in beginning teacher induction and mentoring models has informed effective approaches to supporting early-career educators.
Among Michael’s most notable accomplishments is his work as a turnaround principal in Phoenix where he led a struggling inner-city school from being designated “failing” by the Arizona Department of Education to “Performing Plus with Excelling Points” in just two years.
Following nearly three decades of distinguished service in Arizona education, Michael now serves as the Director of Federal Programs and Grants for Community Unit District 300 in Illinois. His leadership has had a profound and far-reaching impact, helping to secure more than $165 million in federal, state, and private grant funding for Illinois school districts.