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Superintendent of Hermiston School District

Meet Dr. Mooney

A woman with blonde hair and glasses smiles at the camera.

ABOUT OUR SUPERINTENDENT         

Tricia Mooney

Planted amidst the picturesque landscapes of Hermiston, she has been an integral part of Hermiston School District since 2017.

Dr. Tricia Mooney exemplifies visionary, community-rooted leadership in public education. Rising through the ranks from teacher to superintendent, she has led Hermiston School District 8R—Eastern Oregon’s largest school district, since 2017, serving nearly 5,800 students. She also serves as Vice Chair of Oregon’s Quality Education Commission, helping shape how the state defines and funds a “quality education.”
Under her leadership, Hermiston was named one of just four AASA “Lighthouse Systems” nationwide through the Learning 2025 initiative, recognizing its whole-child, future-driven approach. Dr. Mooney has expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE), providing students with hands-on experience and industry certifications through student-run programs like Dog Prints, Java Dawg, Boomers Concessions, and the Student Home Builders Project.
Equity is a cornerstone of her work. She has broadened access to dual-language and early learning, closed achievement gaps, and partnered with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to implement a culturally responsive curriculum. She also launched a comprehensive elementary summer program and expanded mental health resources to support students beyond the classroom.
In 2019, she led the passage of an $82.7 million bond to modernize facilities and enhance school safety, a testament to her ability to earn public trust and deliver on long-term goals. Dr. Mooney is also a member of AASA’s National Women’s Leadership Consortium, where she mentors aspiring female leaders. Through strategic, inclusive, and student-first leadership, Dr. Mooney continues to set a high bar for what’s possible in public education.

Dr. Mooney's Background

  • In 2019, the Hermiston School District (HSD) passed an $82.7 million capital improvement bond, leading to the replacement of Rocky Heights Elementary, the addition of Loma Vista Elementary, and an Annex at Hermiston High School. The district also enhanced safety and security across all buildings. Under Dr. Mooney’s leadership, student enrollment reached an all-time high, and HSD invested in K-5 reading and math instructional materials to ensure a consistent curriculum. Dr. Mooney's commitment to multiple student pathways earned the district recognition at the 2021 Model Schools Conference. HSD's Strategic Plan focuses on equitable outcomes, and graduation rates have remained steady. Dr. Mooney remains dedicated to supporting staff and the district’s vision: "Future Focused: Building Knowledge and Skills for Tomorrow.

  • Dr. Mooney’s passion for education was evident from the beginning. From the moment she stepped into a classroom as a student teacher, she knew she had found her calling. Her ability to establish a safe and respectful classroom environment played a major role in her success in the classroom, which led her to obtain a leadership role and advocate for students both inside and outside the classroom. Superintendent Mooney's undergraduate studies were conducted at Northwestern College Orange City, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Her education was furthered at Washington State University, where she received a master's degree in educational leadership. Moreover, she successfully defended her dissertation at Northcentral University, where she received an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

  • Dr. Mooney's background as a community liaison and program manager has honed her skills in connecting with diverse groups. Her collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation led to the development of a local history-focused social studies curriculum and the launch of a heritage language program at Pendleton Early Learning Center in 2015. She also played a key role in securing a $50 million bond for replacing two elementary schools and constructing an educational learning center. Dr. Mooney's efforts in providing multiple student pathways earned the Hermiston School District recognition at the 2021 Model Schools Conference. She remains engaged with the community through her involvement with the Hermiston Kiwanis and Hermiston Education Foundation.

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