Commissioner's Biography

Robert Hammond

Colorado Commissioner of Education

A 24-year veteran education leader, Robert Hammond is known for his ability to implement transformational improvements in organizations.

Robert came to be the top leader in Colorado’s K-12 public education system by demonstrating unparalleled levels of success in city management and the banking industry. It was from there that the Wichita Public Schools in Kansas tapped him to head its administration and operations division and serve as associate superintendent. Later, he moved to the Rocky Mountain state and was the chief operations officer for the Boulder Valley School District. About five years ago, he was successfully recruited to apply his leadership talents to the state level when he was named the Colorado Department of Education’s Deputy Commissioner. It was in that role that the entire state could clearly see, and begin benefiting from, Robert’s passion for education. Robert was then recruited as the Commissioner of Education and was officially sworn into office in May 2011.

He’s played an integral part in creating and implementing Colorado’s educator effectiveness system, new state academic standards and assessments, and a nationally-recognized accountability system grounded in student growth. Understanding the essential role state support has in district, school and student success, Robert assembled a leadership team focused on helping local districts succeed.

That leadership, along with really hard work from local educators, has made Colorado one of the few states to be recognized multiple times by the White House, the U.S. Department of Education and most recently, by the Gates Foundation. National officials commonly refer to Colorado as being on the leading edge and committed to implementing education reform in the right way for our unique state.
 

For additional information, e-mail: hegele_n@cde.state.co.us