Dr. Demetrus Liggins, honored as the 2026 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year, is a distinguished leader in education with 25 years of experience in teaching and school leadership. Hailing from Longview, Texas, Dr. Liggins has dedicated his career to a clear vision: to create opportunities for all students to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
Currently, as the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky—the second-largest district in the state with nearly 45,000 students—Dr. Demetrus Liggins has led transformative improvements in student outcomes. Under his guidance, the district has achieved significant increases in graduation rates, narrowed achievement gaps between student groups, and implemented innovative superintendent programs that have redefined success. His approach to superintendent leadership emphasizes visibility, collaboration, and a strong commitment to educational excellence.
Prior to his role in Fayette County, Dr. Liggins served as the Superintendent of Greenville Independent School District in Texas, where he oversaw remarkable gains in academic performance and fiscal stability. His career includes diverse experiences as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal across various educational levels. He has successfully led as an elementary school principal in Corsicana Independent School District, a middle school principal in Lancaster and Mansfield Independent School Districts, and a high school principal in Grand Prairie Independent School District, where he also served as an area superintendent.
Dr. Liggins holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington. As a bilingual educator, he continues to champion inclusive initiatives that empower and uplift diverse student populations, thus playing a pivotal role in transforming education.
Dr. Demetrus Liggins is dedicated to preparing students to thrive in a global economy by transforming education through superintendent leadership. By offering academic content in both English and Spanish, the superintendent programs under his guidance aim to equip students with the skills needed for success in today's diverse world.
Dr. Demetrus Liggins is dedicated to enabling students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree through innovative superintendent programs aimed at transforming education.
Dr. Demetrus Liggins is committed to transforming education by bringing cutting-edge opportunities to students, including augmented and virtual reality learning experiences through innovative superintendent programs focused on enhancing superintendent leadership.
Under the guidance of Dr. Demetrus Liggins, our initiatives focus on supporting the well-being of students and staff through mental health programs and mindfulness practices, reflecting a commitment to superintendent leadership in transforming education.
Dr. Demetrus Liggins, the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools, has been named one of four finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year® Award. Recognized for his exemplary superintendent leadership, Demetrus Liggins is celebrated for advancing student learning, strengthening community partnerships, and fostering innovation through effective superintendent programs focused on transforming education.
In Season 5, Episode 1—“Creating Opportunity for Every Child: Dr. Demetrus Liggins on Equity and Innovative School Programs”—Dr. Demetrus Liggins, the superintendent, joined the podcast to share how his leadership in equity, innovation, and community partnerships is transforming education and driving student success in Fayette County Public Schools through effective superintendent programs.