John O’Brien is the Director of K–12 Strategic Partnerships for the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU). In this role, he serves as a liaison to school districts, charter networks, private schools, and other youth-serving organizations, cultivating reciprocal partnerships that align partner needs with the college’s educator workforce solutions.
With more than 30 years of experience serving students and families, John is a retired superintendent of schools who has also held roles as assistant superintendent, secondary director, and principal. This breadth of leadership experience provides him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s schools and districts.
John leads partnership efforts that drive engagement and expand access to the college’s programs across all service lines. He works closely with partner organizations to develop agreements that support employee enrollment in Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College programs, strengthening the educator pipeline.
Through targeted outreach, one-on-one engagement, and collaborative planning, John builds meaningful, lasting connections between ASU and its partners, ensuring a strong pipeline of well-prepared educators for the communities they serve.