Glenn “Max” McGee, President, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Glenn “Max” McGee is president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a residential academy that educates the top math and science students in Illinois and is active in statewide outreach programs. McGee was a member of the Committee on Highly Successful Schools or Programs for K-12 STEM Education that issued the NRC report, Successful K-12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches in Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. McGee is a regular speaker at state and national conferences, and has published several articles and coauthored two books, most recently The Perfect School. McGee is a former Illinois State superintendent of education, and has been a teacher, principal, and district superintendent. He also previously served as senior research associate at Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies. In 2009, he led the Academy to receive Intel’s“ Star Innovator Award” as the top high school in America, and has guided the Academy through a period of significant financial challenges. He continually works for the good of all students and was instrumental in the revision and passage of the new Illinois State Report Card. In addition, McGee collaborates with schools worldwide to bring students and educators together to research, discuss, and design solutions to the most challenging problems facing our world. McGee serves on the board of the Illinois Association of Gifted Children and the Great Books Foundation, the Governor’s P-20 Council and the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Board. He is a past chairman and current member of the board of the Golden Apple Foundation. McGee earned a BA in Political Science from Dartmouth College, an MA in Educational Administration from The University of Chicago, and a PhD in Educational Administration from The University of Chicago.