Superintendent's Office

An outspoken advocate for racial equity, trauma-informed practices and student voice in education, Dr. Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley has served as superintendent of The School District of University City since July 2016. She was previously the assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development for the Ritenour School District.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley is a native of St. Louis. She is a graduate of Lafayette High School and has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and special education from Harris-Stowe State University. She earned an M.A. in Education Administration from Saint Louis University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley, her husband (a University City High School graduate), and her children are residents of University City.

Prior to Ritenour, Dr. Hardin-Bartley had a 15-year career in St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) where she served as chief human resources officer from 2007 to 2012. Previously, as a principal on special assignment, she helped SLPS strengthen its partnership with St. Louis Science Center and improve the District’s focus on science and math instruction. She was the founding principal of Adams Elementary School, one of SLPS’ newly reopened schools.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley is active within the community. She is the board chair for both Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and for Alive and Well Communities. She also serves on the boards of The American Heart Association-St. Louis, The Magic House and the United Way of Greater St. Louis. She was part of the Child Well-Being and Education Equity Committee of the Ferguson Commission and now serves on advisory boards for Harris-Stowe State University, Webster University and University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is also a member of the Early Childhood Design Leadership Council for the St. Louis region.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley is a regional and national speaker on integrating health and well-being, student equity, restorative practices and student voice in the school community. She was a principal writer on state guidelines for trauma-informed schools through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In March 2023, she was awarded the Missouri Association of School Administrators' Robert L. Pearce Award for outstanding leadership in education. The award is given annually to a Missouri superintendent nominated by peer superintendents.

In January, 2022, she was named one of "Five Superintendents to Watch" nationally by "K-12 Dive." In February 2022, she was selected as a prestigious Children and Family Fellow by The Annie E. Casey Foundation. In the 21-month program, she and an elite group of national leaders from the public, nonprofit and for-profit sectors are receiving intensive executive leadership training to facilitate major system reforms and community change initiatives. 

Dr. Hardin-Bartley received the Distinguished Alumni award from two of her alma maters, Harris-Stowe State University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In March 2019, she was honored with the New Superintendent of the Year for the St. Louis District award by the Missouri Association of School Administrators.

Additionally, in 2020, Dr. Hardin-Bartley received the 2020 Stellar Performer in Education Award by the St. Louis American Foundation. On Nov. 30 2020, the ASAA recognized Dr. Hardin-Bartley for successfully completing the AASA National Superintendent Certification® (PDF).