Alumna Kyles-Smith begins as CEO of Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School

Cambridge College Alumna Dr. Kristina Kyles-Smith [EdD '20] has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Lillie May Carroll Jackson (LMCJ) Charter School by the school's board of directors. LMCJ is an Expeditionary Learning community for Baltimore City middle school girls, grades 5-8.

Over the course of her career, Dr. Kyles-Smith has served in several roles in public education, amassing a wealth of diverse educational leadership experience. These roles include teacher, district director of equity, and district curriculum director in Massachusetts. In Maryland, Dr. Kyles-Smith has served as a principal in Baltimore City Public Schools and Assistant State Superintendent of Education. Nationally, she supported school transformation and equity as the Regional Director for EL Education. Dr. Kyles-Smith’s most recent assignment was as the Executive Director of Two Rivers Public Charter Schools, a network of high-performing public charter schools in Washington, D.C. 

Board President, Monica Mitchell, is excited about what new leadership means for Lillie May. “We have already gained such great momentum since Ms. Anitra Washington arrived as Principal in July. I am confident that her 14 years of leadership in girls’ education, coupled with Dr. Kyles-Smith’s strategic vision and planning, will propel scholar achievement and take Lillie May to greater heights. I cannot wait to see what this team will accomplish together for our scholars and our community.” 

Dr. Kyles-Smith was raised in Holland, Michigan, by activist parents who owned and operated a community outreach center, a Black culture center, and a church. Through her parents, Dr. Kyles-Smith fostered a love of learning and a commitment to her community. She received her Bachelor’s from Hope College and a Master's from Simmons College. She received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, completing her dissertation on historically Black schools' ability to educate Black students and sustain strong Black communities.  

Dr. Kyles-Smith successfully supervised the administration of Federal and state programs to improve student's educational opportunities, empowered teachers and students to do more than they thought possible, and focused on growing access to quality educational options. Dr. Kyles-Smith has dedicated her career to serving and empowering students and teachers.  

Dr. Kyles-Smith has been a champion and cheerleader for LMCJ for the past several years, supporting LMCJ as its EL Education Regional Director. She was then, as she is now, excited about LMCJ’s future.

“LMCJ is a fantastic place. The scholars are eager to learn, the staff are mission-driven and passionate, and the leadership is dedicated to providing the conditions for the entire community to be empowered, engaged, and challenged. I have big shoes to fill, and I am humbled to support the continued realization of the mission of this school,” said Dr. Kyles-Smith. 

Dr. Kyles-Smith lives in Baltimore County, Maryland, with her husband and three children, who bring her joy and keep her grounded. She is active in several professional associations, such as the National Alliance of Black School Educators and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She remains committed to community service and serves as a member of the Harbor City Links, Incorporated, and an active member of her local chapter of the NAACP.    

Dr. Kyles-Smith officially starts on November 1, 2022.