Bridget O’Connell, Ed.D. has served as the Superintendent of the Palisades School District (Bucks County, PA) since August 2011. During her tenure she has demonstrated student-centered leadership with a focus on promoting academic excellence, customized learning and community partnerships. Dr. O’Connell was recognized as the 2022 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year. She was also recently recognized by the Patriot League (collegiate athletics) as a Trailblazer of Distinction during the 50th Anniversary of Title IX as well as the PIAA for paving the way and continuing to advocate for female student athletes.
Dr. O’Connell has received leadership awards from the Red Cross for coordinating efforts with the community during Hurricane Sandy, National School Development Council, Blended Schools Network, and she was named a top five Superintendent to watch in 2015 by the National Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. She has collaborated with colleagues at both Google NYC and the U.S. Department of Education on issues related to technology in education and the U.S. Department of Education on COVID response.
She serves as a board member for St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital, the DaVinci Science Center and the Washington Crossing Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, she was elected to the AASA Governing Board in 2020. Dr. O’Connell earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees from Lehigh University.
In addition to her work at Palisades, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at Lehigh University in the College of Education since 2008 and is an avid scuba diver. Dr. O’Connell lives in Bethlehem, PA with her husband and four children.