Dr. Veronica Kortan is a proud alumni of Harlingen CISD and has been in education for over 25 years. Prior to being named the Interim Superintendent of Schools, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Leadership & Innovation. In her role, Dr. Kortan was the internal coordinator for the 2023 Strategic Plan and led the implementation of numerous innovative practices in the district. Some of the most recent innovations she guided include the establishment of talent pipeline work inclusive of the principal and teacher residency programs. 

Prior to becoming the Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Kortan served in various roles ranging from teacher to the Administrator for Organizational Development. In 2007, she founded the district’s Early College High School thereby creating the model for systemic implementation of speciality academies used today. Since its inception, the Early College High School has been synonymous with innovation and has brought the importance of partnerships to the forefront. Because of the work at Early College High School, the district built a strong relationship with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and changed the landscape of how Texas public schools and post-secondary institutions collaborate. The foundation built at the Early College High School gave way to creating the UTRGV Harlingen Collegiate High. This campus was a triagency partnership between HCISD, UTRGV and the city of Harlingen. 

Dr. Kortan is the mother to two daughters who attend HCISD and together with her husband, Chris, they enjoy supporting their daughters’ extracurricular activities and attending various events around the district. Dr. Kortan is an active sustainer of the Harlingen Junior League and serves on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.