Dr. Marceline “Marci” Catlett is the 25th Division Superintendent of Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) and the first African American to lead the school division. A native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, her lifelong connection to the school system began as a child when she was one of the first African American students to integrate the city’s historically all-white Maury Elementary School. This early immersion in social change inspired her devotion to community education and leadership.
She went on to attend James Monroe High School before graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Virginia State University in 1981. Dr. Catlett expanded her academic portfolio by earning a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia, followed by a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, alongside holding advanced certificates from Oxford, Harvard, and Howard Universities.
Her professional career spans more than four decades entirely within the Fredericksburg City Public Schools system. She entered the division in 1981 as a sixth-grade teacher at Walker-Grant Middle School—the exact school she had attended during her childhood. Transitioning into school administration in 1990, she rose sequentially through various critical leadership positions, serving as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel, and Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Catlett took over as interim superintendent in July 2019 and was officially sworn into the permanent role in November of that year. Driven by her professional motto, “Moving forward and upward. Leading at the speed of change,” her superintendency has delivered measurable academic improvements, expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and spearheaded wellness programs including student mental health supports and early cellphone-free learning environments.
Recognized broadly as a dedicated servant-leader, Dr. Catlett’s profound regional impact has earned her numerous prestigious honors. She was named the 2027 Region III Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. In addition to her executive triumphs in education, she received the 2023 Chamber of Commerce Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award, the Micah Ministries 2023 Drum Major for Justice Award, and the University of Mary Washington Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award. Her ongoing civic stewardship includes serving as the United Way Local Government Chair and working closely with grassroots organizations to maximize equity, transparency, and family engagement across the Fredericksburg community.