Judith Won Pat was selected Thursday as the next superintendent of the Guam Department of Education.
Won Pat,75, served as acting superintendent in 2023 while current Superintendent Kenneth Swanson was preparing to start the job. Earlier this year, Swanson announced his Dec. 31 resignation.
Won Pat addressed Board of Education members after they announced her selection.
“I know this a very hard decision for all of you to make, especially to do it in the way you’re doing it openly,” she said. “I do accept.”
Education Board Chairman Angel Sablan asked for Won Pat and Swanson to work together during the transition period.
“It’s ironic because it's the same two people that switched in the last selection, where we had Dr Swanson," Sablan said. "We didn't give him an opportunity that time, but he's very willing to give you an opportunity this time."
Won Pat, a former school administrator, holds a doctor of educational leadership degree from University of San Diego.
She is also a former senator who served as speaker of the legislature from 2009 through 2017.
A Democrat, Won Pat lost to James Moylan in the race for the Guam delegate seat in Congress in 2022.
