Mark Pienkos

’72, History; ‘74 M.S. Ed.

Mark Pienkos is a retired educator, serving as a teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, principal and district administrator throughout his career. Pienkos’ most recent position was at Traver School District in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, as interim superintendent. He has held positions in multiple school districts in Wisconsin and Florida over the past 45 years. Pienkos was also an adjunct professor for Aurora University where he taught graduate courses in administrative leadership. In addition to his degrees from NIU, Pienkos received an Ed.D. degree from the University of Southern California in 1993. 

Mark has served his communities as alderman for the 1st Ward in the City of Muskego, Wisconsin, president of the Wisconsin School Counselor Association and Midwest vice president for the American School Counselor Association, Democratic Party chair in two counties in Wisconsin, First Congressional District Democratic Party chair in Wisconsin, and appointed to a five-year term on the City of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Police & Fire Commission, serving three years as president.

Mark is currently running for public office, Sarasota County; serving as the elected National First Vice President for the Polish American Congress; appointed to the Sarasota County Historical Commission in 2021; awarded Cavalier's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland; Baltimore Orioles Spring Training Staff; elected board member The Meadows HOA, Sarasota; 4th Degree Knight of Columbus; author.