- AUHSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Novack
An unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student succeeds and a long track record of maintaining positive relationships with the community led to the selection of Class of ’71 graduate Elizabeth “Liz” Lohman Novack as superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District.
Her connection to Anaheim schools, besides being a graduate of Anaheim High, includes serving as assistant principal of Dale Junior High School and principal of Walker Junior High School.
While at Anaheim High, she was an exemplary student who participated in numerous activities, including serving as a section editor of the yearbook and as a member of the Cheer Squad, Safety & Welfare Club, the Senior Executive Committee, Press Club, Pep Club and Girls’ Athletic Association.
“I can personally attest that this is a great district with a long history of excellence, and I’m thrilled to realize a lifelong dream and come back as superintendent,” said Dr. Novack, who most recently served as assistant superintendent of human resources in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
In Newport-Mesa, Dr. Novack was one of Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard’s top advisers. He said Dr. Novack was instrumental in developing a service-oriented culture in the district. Dr. Hubbard also cited Dr. Novack’s contributions to the district’s Leadership Institute, a two-year program that develops in-house talent. Dr. Novack single handedly created and implemented the intensive program, which recently resulted in a teacher being hired directly from the classroom as a principal.
Dr. Novack began her 34-year career in education as an elementary teacher in the Downey Unified School District. She worked as a secondary science and health teacher in Chino Unified before coming to the AUHSD in that capacity. After her tenure as an administrator in the AUHSD, the spent the next six years as associate superintendent of human resources and instruction in the Cypress School District.
She also has served as an adjunct professor in the teacher preparation and credential programs at Cal State Long Beach and UC Irvine. Before assuming the job in Newport-Mesa, Dr. Novack was Cal State Long Beach’s University Ombuds, serving as an independent, neutral resource for informal problem-solving for the entire university community.
Dr. Novack received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and her master’s degree in educational administration from Cal State Fullerton. She received her doctorate in education from Claremont Graduate University.
“I am a daughter of the Anaheim Union High School District, and I am who I am in large part because of the district I am about to serve,” the new superintendent said. “I look forward to a long, productive tenure as your superintendent and working together to enhance the legacy of the Anaheim Union High School District.”
