Her Story
About Dayna
Dayna Anthony Swain is a seasoned educational leader whose career spans two decades of service across Texas classrooms and school systems. She currently serves as Senior Director of Academics and Schools at the Goodwill Excel Center for Adult Learners, where she oversees academic operations across seven campuses—including five within correctional facilities—and provides direct coaching and support to principals and academic teams. Her leadership journey began in the classroom as a middle school science teacher, a path she entered through an alternative certification program after completing her bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Austin. From there, she steadily rose through progressively senior roles, including assistant principal, elementary coordinator, and principal of both an alternative high school and a middle school, before being named Head of Schools at KIPP Texas Public Schools and eventually stepping into her current position.
Grounded in a philosophy that centers relationship-building, equity, and instructional excellence, Dr. Swain is known for her hands-on approach to leadership development, frequently conducting classroom walkthroughs and delivering evidence-based feedback using structured coaching frameworks. Her academic credentials reflect this same dedication to growth: she holds a Master's in Leadership of Learning from Abilene Christian University, a Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. Beyond her formal titles, she has built a reputation as a turnaround leader, having guided an underperforming alternative campus to an acceptable state rating within a single year and having introduced lasting traditions, such as a midwinter graduation ceremony that continues to serve students nearly a decade later.
Outside of her core administrative work, Dr. Swain channels her passion for community into entrepreneurship and philanthropy. She and her husband manage a portfolio of rental properties and a cleaning business, while she also spent several years running her own daycare. Her commitment to uplifting others extends into her nonprofit work as founder of Black Mamas Village, an Austin-based organization supporting mothers, where she also sits on the board of the Village Place. An active member of the Texas Association of School Administrators, the Texas Council of Women School Executives, and the Greater Austin Area Alliance of Black School Educators, she remains a steadfast advocate for equity in education—driven by the belief that with enough effort and purpose, anyone can achieve what they set their mind to.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dayna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I was raised by my grandparents, who involved my brother and me in sports like tennis, golf, and swimming — activities that few Black and African American families were part of at the time. That experience taught me early on that I could do anything I set my mind to, and that I was just as capable as anyone else. I truly believe that with enough effort, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was simply, "Go for it." A counselor once asked whether I planned to apply for a certain position, and when I said I didn't feel ready yet, she told me plainly that the decision wasn't mine to make — I needed to apply, and if the opportunity was meant for me, it would be. That moment has stayed with me, and my mantra ever since has been to never leave an opportunity on the table.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to trust the process. This work isn't easy — education is challenging, especially given the current climate here in Texas, with funding constraints and other obstacles making it even harder. But we don't do this work for ourselves; we do it for others. As long as we keep our students at the center of our purpose, everything else will fall into place. So above all, trust the process.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Funding is by far the biggest challenge — the funding model hasn't changed since 2019, and post-COVID needs simply aren't being adequately addressed. On top of that, there's growing political pressure around curriculum content, such as debates over including Bible verses. We're also still working to keep pace with rapid changes in technology, including the rise of AI.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are trust, humor, security, and care.
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