Dr. Robert L. Sanders is honored to be the Superintendent for the Hinds County School District beginning July 1, 2023. Dr. Sanders has 23 years of experience in education with various roles and responsibilities. Dr. Sanders attended Wingfield High School in the Jackson Public School District and graduated with honors with his high school diploma in 1995.  Dr. Sanders went to the University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in History with the intent to be a Social Studies Teacher. While at USM, Dr. Sanders received several honors and awards such as: Most Outstanding Freshmen Male in 1996, Dean’s List Scholar, Member of Southern Style, Vice-President of the National Honor Society Alpha Lambda Delta, Student Body President and induction into the prestigious USM Hall of Fame. Dr. Sanders graduated with honors from USM in 1999 with his Bachelor’s Degree in History and he began his teaching career at Jim Hill High School in the Jackson Public School District.  Dr. Sanders continued to teach history for 4 years while pursuing his Master’s Degree from Jackson State University in Education Administration. Dr. Sanders graduated from Jackson State University in 2004 and was promoted to the position of Assistant Principal at Wingfield High School in Jackson Public Schools.

After serving as Assistant Principal for 3 years, Dr. Sanders was promoted to the position of Principal at Hattiesburg High School in the Hattiesburg Public School District. Dr. Sanders became the youngest person in the history of Hattiesburg High School to be named as Principal in addition to being the school’s first African American Male Principal.  Dr. Sanders lead Hattiesburg High School for 6 successful years receiving many awards and accolades such as: Hattiesburg Public Schools District Administrator of the Year in 2008, 9th Grade Academy labeled a STAR School in 2011, PREPS Awards for Outstanding Algebra I scores 2011 & 2012, complete turnaround in academic performance on all state test, and Dr. Sanders led Hattiesburg High School’s removal from the Federal School Improvement designation. Dr. Sanders received his Specialist Degree from USM in 2011 and his Ph.D. in Education Administration and Supervision from USM in 2018.

Dr. Sanders was named Principal of Mendenhall High School in the Simpson County School District in June of 2014.  Dr. Sanders made a tremendous impact on Mendenhall High and the entire Simpson County community.  Dr. Sanders was named Simpson County’s Administrator of the Year for 2015-2016 and was also honored as the finalist for Congressional District #3 Administrator of the Year in 2016.  Mendenhall High School experienced great academic success and sustained growth under Dr. Sanders’ leadership. The graduation rate went from 67.7% to 83% and the average daily attendance increased from 87% to 94%.  Mendenhall High School’s accountability rating went from a “D” level to a “B” level.  As a result, Dr. Sanders was named the Simpson County School District Administrator of the year again in year 2017-2018.  In July of 2018, Dr. Sanders was promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Secondary Schools with the Simpson County School District. As Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Sanders was instrumental in moving the school district from a level “D” to its current rating of a level “C” (successful) school district. Dr. Sanders is an ordained minister of 27 years and he is the Pastor of The Spiritual True Holiness Church of God.  Dr. Sanders is happily married to Mrs. Kendra L. Sanders and they have one son, Keaston M. Sanders, who is a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in Sports Coaching and Training. Dr. Sanders is an outstanding educational leader and he makes a tremendous impact where ever he goes.