Overview: Dr. Sonia Llamas has been selected as the new Superintendent of the Riverside Unified School District. She brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership, having served in various roles in Orange County, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, and Pasadena. The Riverside County Board of Education chose her for her commitment to student needs, her focus on data-based decision making, and her expertise in building high-performing teams. Her first day as Superintendent will be July 14.
Ellen Perrault
The Riverside County Board of Education (Board) has selected Dr. Sonia Llamas as the next Superintendent of the Riverside Unified School District. At its June 26 meeting, the Board approved the appointment of Dr. Llamas. Her first day as Superintendent will be July 14.
In a press release the Board stated Dr. Llamas brings a wealth of experience to Riverside Unified, having served as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Superintendent of Educational and Student Services at the Orange County Department of Education.
She has also held leadership positions in Santa Ana Unified, Los Angeles Unified, and Pasadena Unified, where she helped design, implement, and scale student success systems rooted in community engagement, holistic student wellbeing and academic excellence.
Riverside Unified Board President Brent Lee took the lead in the search for a new superintendent and welcomed Dr. Llamas on behalf of his fellow Board members. “The Board is committed to high standards for our students’ education, and we believe Dr. Llamas’ expertise, experience, advocacy, and empathy make her well-suited as our next leader. Our community spoke clearly about the need for a dynamic, visionary administrator and we believe we have found that in Dr. Llamas,” he declared.
Dr. Llamas expressed both gratitude and a deep sense of purpose. “For more than thirty years, I’ve dedicated myself to making public education not just a pathway, but a promise—one that sees, values, and uplifts every student. RUSD’s commitment to equity, excellence, and community mirrors the foundation of my leadership journey. It reflects not just what I do, but who I am.”
Dr. Llamas continued, “I am humbled and honored to serve this incredible community—and I will lead with transparency, integrity, and a deep responsibility to earn and build trust every single day.”
She further stressed that her purpose in education has been rooted in service, “ensuring we create the conditions for all students to thrive, for every staff member to feel supported and empowered, and for families and communities to feel seen, heard, and engaged as valued partners in our shared journey.”
Guided by community feedback, the Board conducted a comprehensive search across California, and considered several highly-qualified candidates. According to the board, Dr. Llamas ultimately stood out for her commitment to student needs, her comprehensive focus on data-based decision making, and her expertise in building high-performing, mission-driven teams.
Dr. Llamas earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California (USC). She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a Clear Administrative Services Credential. She is fluent in Spanish.