Russ Adams

Education:
Superintendent Licensure in Advanced Studies, Iowa State University
M.S.Ed., Drake University
B.A., University of Northern Iowa

radams@nwciowa.edu

Russ Adams has served as the program director for Northwestern's Master of Education in Educational Administration and Principal Endorsement programs since 2024. Adams is also the assistant director for Northwestern's Center of Innovation and Leadership.

Prior to his service as program director, Adams taught in the education administration program as an adjunct faculty member. Adams served as the superintendent of schools for the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District from 2013 to 2024 after serving as the district's high school principal for a decade. Previous administrative experience includes 10 years as a middle school and high school principal in Springville and Hartley, Iowa. He also has classroom experience, having taught business education and coached in Lake City, Iowa.

Adams earned his undergraduate degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa and then completed a Master of Science in education at Drake University. He also holds Superintendent Licensure in Advanced Studies from Iowa State University.

+Professional experienceSuperintendent, MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, Orange City, IA, 2013–2024MOC-Floyd Valley High School Principal, Orange City, IA, 2003–2013Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Principal, Hartley, IA, 1998–2003Hartley-Melvin Sanborn Middle School Principal, Sanborn, IA, 1995–1998Springville Middle and High School Principal, Springville, IA, 1993–1995Business Education Teacher and Coach, Southern Cal Community School District, Lake City, IA, 1989–1993Family-Teacher, Father Flanagan's Boys Home, Boys Town, NE, 1988–1989Business Education Teacher and Coach, Southern Cal Community School District, Lake City, IA, 1985–1988

+MembershipsAmerican Association of School AdministratorsAssociation for Supervision and Curriculum DevelopmentIowa Association for Supervision and Curriculum DevelopmentSchool Administrators of IowaSAI Executive Leaders Steering CommitteeIowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Representative CouncilIowa High School Speech Association Executive Board Member

+HonorsIowa Superintendent of the Year, 2021National Blue Ribbon Award Nominee - Hospers Elementary, 2016National Blue Ribbon High School - MOC-Floyd Valley High School, 2011Iowa High School Principal of the Year, 2009 Area Four High School Principal of the Year, 2004Milken National Educator Award Recipient, 2003Area Four Middle Level Principal of the Year, 1998Voices in the Classroom Representative