Mary Catherine Swanson is a nationally acclaimed educator whose vision and dedication have transformed the lives of countless students. A high school English teacher for two decades, she developed award-winning language arts programs that set new standards in public education. But her most enduring legacy began in 1980, when she created Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)—a groundbreaking program designed to close the opportunity gap by preparing students in the academic middle for college success.
Under her leadership, AVID grew from a single classroom to a national movement. Today, 95% of AVID students enroll in college, a testament to the power of high expectations, support, and rigorous academic preparation. To sustain and scale the program’s impact, she established the AVID Center in 1992, laying the foundation for its continued national and global reach.
Mary Catherine’s pioneering work has earned her some of the most prestigious honors in education. These include the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, CNN/Time Magazine’s America’s Best Teacher Award, and the Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering Achievement in Education—making her the only public school teacher to ever receive that distinction. The Dana Foundation lauded her for “heeding the teacher’s calling at the highest level of professional dedication” in reimagining the school day to empower students long overlooked.
She has also been recognized with the A+ Award from the US Department of Education, the EXCEL Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Cable’s Leaders in Learning Award, and has been named a Remarkable Leader in Education by the University of San Diego and Outstanding Alumnus by the University of California. She holds three honorary doctorates and has been a commencement speaker at multiple universities.
Jay Mathews of The Washington Post captured her influence best, writing, “I don’t know any single person in the country who has done more for our school children than AVID founder Mary Catherine Swanson.”
Following her retirement as CEO of AVID in 2006, the organization’s Board of Directors honored her legacy by creating Founder’s Scholarships, awarded annually to five AVID students. She continues to serve on the AVID Board, championing excellence in education.
Mary Catherine is also a proud mother. Her son, Tom Swanson—a Stanford graduate and high school history teacher—followed in her footsteps into the classroom, a choice she considers her greatest personal achievement.
