ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington ISD has named Dr. Priscila Dilley as its new chief academic officer. Dilley brings more than two decades of instructional leadership experience spanning campus, network, and district-level roles, including executive oversight of a portfolio of over 100 schools serving diverse student populations.
“Dr. Dilley’s experience and passion for student success is exactly what we need on our team in Arlington ISD as we strive to create something exceptional for every student we serve,” said Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. “She has a strong history of empowering teachers to do great things for students, and we’re excited to have her join the Arlington ISD family.”
Dilley most recently served as the Chief of Schools in Fort Worth ISD. Prior to that role, she was a senior officer of the Leadership Academy Network at Texas Wesleyan University from 2019 to 2025, where she directed strategic planning for a multi-campus network.
Dilley began her career as a classroom teacher and then served as a campus principal and executive director. Along the way, she designed professional learning for elementary principals, coached and mentored campus leaders across dozens of schools, and led family engagement work that built strong community partnerships and expanded enrichment opportunities for students. Colleagues describe her as a relationship-driven leader who invests in people first.
Dilley holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Texas Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and religious education from Dallas Baptist University. She holds Texas certifications as a superintendent, principal, and bilingual and ESL educator. Her professional training includes the Harvard Principal Institute, the New York City Leadership Academy, and Deloitte University’s Courageous Principals program.