Building a path to a larger life for all Kentuckians through excellent education.

We promote improved education for all Kentuckians.

Since 1983, the Prichard Committee has worked to study priority issues, inform the public and policy makers about best practices and mobilize citizens, business leaders, families, students, and other stakeholders in a shared mission to move Kentucky to the top tier of all states for education excellence and for all children, from their earliest years through postsecondary education.

Thanks to the efforts of the Committee and dedicated citizens, Kentucky has moved from the bottom of the national rankings in education to the middle and above. Our ambitious goal is to move to the top tier of all states within this generation.

To accomplish this goal, the Committee focuses on three overarching priorities. Our work is grounded in intentional efforts to ensure that students in the groups that have had less opportunity to excel catch up with their peers.

A Strong Accountability System

We demand excellence through meaningful standards and robust accountability about quality and student progress from early childhood through postsecondary education. High expectations and transparency are critical components for Kentucky’s educational success.

Adequate and Equitable Funding

We advocate for efficient use of resources and equitable funding that is adequate to assure excellence in education from early childhood through postsecondary.

Sustained and Expanded Engagement

We work to engage Kentucky citizens on education issues. Informed and empowered students, parents, communities, and business leaders will demand continued progress for education across the Commonwealth.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board members can access resources available to download here.

Felicianew

Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith

CHAIR

National Center for Families Learning
Congressional District 1
Frankfort, KY

Juliarobertsnewsite

Dr. Julia Roberts

VICE CHAIR

Western Kentucky University
Congressional District 2
Bowling Green, KY

Leonew

Leo Calderon

SECRETARY / TREASURER

Retired Northern Kentucky University
Congressional District 4
Bellevue, KY

Jaynew

Dr. Jay Box

BOARD MEMBER

Higher Education Innovation, LLC
Congressional District 6
Georgetown, KY

Garrencolvin 2021

Garren Colvin

BOARD MEMBER

St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Congressional District 4
Villa Hills, KY

Alnewsite2

Al Cornish

BOARD MEMBER

Retired: Norton Healthcare
Congressional District 3
Louisville, KY

Claynewsite

Clay Ford

BOARD MEMBER

E.M. Ford & Co.
Congressional District 2
Owensboro, KY

Franklinnew

Franklin K. Jelsma

BOARD MEMBER

Wyatt Tarrant & Combs LLP
Congressional District 3
Louisville, KY

Lonnienewsite

Lonnie Lawson

BOARD MEMBER

The Center for Rural Development
Congressional District 5
Somerset, KY

Christiannewsite

Christian Motley

BOARD MEMBER

Results for America
Congressional District 6
Lexington, KY

Sandynewsite

Sandy Nott

BOARD MEMBER

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, KY
Congressional District 6
Harrodsburg, KY

Wynnnewsite

Wynn Radford

BOARD MEMBER

Business Owner
Congressional District 1
Hopkinsville, KY

Derricknewsite

Derrick Ramsey

BOARD MEMBER

Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Congressional District 3
Lexington, KY

Julienewsite

Julie Tennyson

BOARD MEMBER

Marcum Tennyson PLLC
Congressional District 1
Paducah, KY

Elainenewsite

Elaine A. Wilson

BOARD MEMBER

KCTCS: Somerset Community College
Congressional District 5
Somerset, KY

Gwennewsite

Gwen Young

BOARD MEMBER

Young and Wadlington PLLC
Congressional District 6
Lexington, KY

STAFF

The Prichard Committee team believes that education is the path to a larger life for all Kentuckians. We work to help citizens become informed and engaged advocates for excellence in our state’s educational endeavors. Insight forged from our diverse experiences, our collaboration and commitment to education’s role in creating successful people and communities propel everything we do.

Brigittenew

Brigitte Blom

President & CEO

Todd baldwin

Todd Baldwin

VP & Director of the Center for Best Practice and Innovation
Brooke gill

Brooke Gill

VP & Director, Collaborative for Families and Schools
Suzetta creech

Suzetta Creech

Chief of Staff
Melody brooks

Melody Brooks

Director of Finance & HR
Misty back

Misty Back

Director of Marketing
Laura beard

Laura Beard

Director for the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership
Spencer crawford

Spencer Crawford

Policy Manager
Jamie givens

Jamie Givens

Grants & Finance Associate
Rina gratz

Rina Gratz

Director of Early Childhood and Primary Education Policy and Practice
Kyle jones

Kyle Jones

Policy Manager
Kirsten lachance

Kirsten LaChance

Brand and Content Strategist
Teresa lajara

Teresa Lajara

Policy Manager
Shawn lyons

Shawn Lyons

VP & Director, Philanthropy
Khatirah malik

Khatirah Malik

Community Schools State Coach
Travis marcum

Travis Marcum

Sr. Director of Community Schools
Andrea mckeehan

Andrea McKeehan

Community Schools State Coach
Grace mckenzie

Grace Mckenzie

Family Friendly Schools Director
Lisa mckinney

Lisa McKinney

Director of Communications
Stacey moses

Stacie Moses

Community Schools State Coach
Andrea pike goff

Andrea Pike Goff

Community Schools State Coach
Katherine "sze man" robershaw

Katherine "Sze Man" Robershaw

Sr. Director of Evaluation and Research
Keric seals

Keric Seals

Community Schools State Coach
Delaney stephens

Delaney Stephens

Director of Policy; Meaningful Diplomas
Ellen ward

Ellen Ward

Early Childhood Policy Manager

JOIN OUR TEAM

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is hiring for the following positions:

  • Unfortunately, we are not considering new applications or resumes at this time. Keep an eye on this page for any future updates!

PRICHARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The members of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence are citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky who have demonstrated their interest in furthering excellence in education at all levels.

STRATEGIC PLAN

Strategicplan

ANNUAL REPORTS

What is the Prichard Committee doing? What are the results?