Dr. Alesia Smith

Dr. Alesia is a distinguished educational leader with more than 30 years of experience dedicated to improving student achievement, strengthening school systems, and supporting educational excellence. As Deputy Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, the second-largest school district in Ohio, she provides strategic leadership across a broad range of operational and academic areas, including school supervision, curriculum and instruction, transportation, safety, and student services. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that every student has access to the resources, opportunities, and support necessary to succeed.

Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has built a reputation for driving meaningful educational improvement through collaboration, accountability, and data-informed decision-making. In her current role, she supervises school principals while overseeing programs that serve students with disabilities, gifted learners, and multilingual students. Prior to joining Cincinnati Public Schools, she spent eight years in Arkansas leading school turnaround initiatives, helping underperforming schools implement strategic action plans designed to improve outcomes and create sustainable success. Her expertise in educational leadership has enabled her to support schools facing complex challenges while fostering cultures of continuous growth and achievement.

Beyond her administrative responsibilities, Dr. Smith is passionate about student engagement, literacy, and leadership development. She is known for maintaining strong connections with the schools she serves, regularly engaging with students and educators to promote a culture of learning and excellence. Guided by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, she continues to champion innovative solutions, equitable educational practices, and high-quality learning experiences that prepare students for lifelong success.