OIL CITY, Pa. – Dr. Joe Carrico, Oil City Area School District Superintendent, will present the commencement address at Venango College of Clarion University’s spring commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10 in the Robert W. Rhoades Gymnasium.

Dr. Carrico currently serves as the Oil City Area School District Superintendent and is the Chair of the Venango College Advisory Council.  He is passionate about education and believes in the Oil City School District’s mission: “Every Student….Every Day”.  His lifelong work in education has focused on the whole child and meeting children’s needs so that they can become better learners.

Dr. Carrico has been instrumental in instituting a technology program for kindergarten through twelfth grade.  He facilitated the processes in the development of programs with a focus on intensive case management for mental health concerns and offering outpatient therapy in the school district buildings.  He has also been active in the school district’s partnership with the Salvation Army to provide dental services for Oil City students, and the district’s partnership with Children, Youth and Family Services to assist families with barriers regarding attendance.

Dr. Carrico earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and social studies from Clarion University in 1990.  He earned a master’s degree in education administration from Westminster College in 1995 and an Education Doctorate in administrative policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2002.

He began his career at Abraxas, a residential treatment facility for court-appointed youth as a social studies teacher and coach, and moved into the role of supervisor of education, and ultimately the director of education for that facility.  He moved then to the Valley Grove School District as the dean of students and assistant principal from 1995-1997 and served as the principal of West Forest High School from 1997-2006.

Dr. Carrico is very active in the community and serves on many boards, including the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce; UPMC Board of Directors; Citizens Review Panel for Children, Youth and Family Services; Family Services and Children’s Aid Society; Child Development Centers; Venango College of Clarion University Advisory Council; and Pastoral Council for St. Joseph’s Church.

Dr. Carrico and his wife, Debbie, reside in Oil City and have three children.  Kory works for federal corrections and lives in Texas with his wife, Laurene and sons, Conan and Deacon. Their daughter Ashley lives in Erie and is a school teacher, and Malachi lives at home.

A reception, hosted by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, will be held for the graduates, family members, faculty, staff and friends immediately following the ceremony in the Robert W. Rhoades Lounge.