Photo: Ian Roberts from Des Moines Public Schools
(Des Moines, IA) – The Des Moines Public School board has said they knew former superintendent Ian Roberts did not have a doctorate from Morgan State University when they hired him. But in a video still on their YouTube page, they told the public he did.
In the video from May 16, 2023, DMPS Board Member Teree Caldwell-Johnson introduced Ian Roberts to the public, “Dr. Roberts holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Coppin State, an MS in Education from St. Johns University, and a Doctor of Education with a focus on Urban Educational Leadership, from Morgan State.”
The DMPS School Board posted on their blog on October 1, 2025 they were made aware during the hiring process that Roberts had not earned a doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. The blog states, “The Board was aware Dr. Roberts did not graduate from Morgan State University at the time of his hiring.”
WHO Radio News sent DMPS Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Phil Roeder, an audio clip of the announcement. He responded, "That was the late Teree Caldwell-Johnson speaking, who was School Board chair at the time of Ian Roberts’ appointment as superintendent. I cannot speak to why she said that, she may have relied on the wrong resume, but that was obviously not accurate... we did not reference Morgan State in the press release or bio at that time."
MSU officials tell WHO Radio News that Roberts did attend the school from 2003-2007. And, he was part of a doctoral program, but did not finish.
More universities have come forward to question the Roberts' résumé. His résumé and LinkedIn (which is no longer active) page list a long list of accomplishments. However, his claims of degrees from MIT and Morgan State University are untrue, according to both institutions. Roberts also listed a 2013 Principal of the Year award from George Washington University while working in D.C. That school says it has no record of awarding such a recognition
According to Des Moines Public Schools, Roberts’ background check did not include a review of the awards he claimed to have received. It did include checks of criminal and driving records, credit reports, and academic credentials.
The Des Moines Public School Board announced on October 3rd that it is suing JG Consulting, which is the firm that vetted Roberts. Millcreek Township School District in Erie, Pennsylvania may pursue legal action against Roberts. Roberts served as the Superintendent at the Millcreek Township School District prior to working in Des Moines. The Millcreek Township School District board voted Monday, October 6 to look into whether to sue Roberts and the firm that conducted his background check, Ray & Associates.
Roberts is in federal custody in the Polk County Jail in Des Moines, Iowa on weapons charges and charges he was in the country illegally.