RICHMOND, Va. — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the appointment of Dr. Jeffery O. Smith to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Education.
“As a mother of three daughters in Virginia’s public schools, I understand the importance of making sure Virginia’s students are set up for success and the invaluable foundation that the Commonwealth’s schools provide for our next generation of leaders,” said Spanberger. “Dr. Smith’s decades of experience leading districts in Virginia gives the Commonwealth’s students a champion who I know will work tirelessly on their behalf — and I’m excited to work alongside him to strengthen our schools.”
“It is an honor to serve as a member of Governor-elect Spanberger’s administration. I strongly support her Strengthening Virginia Schools Plan,” said Dr. Smith. “Together, we can advance a vision for a Commonwealth that is stronger, safer, and more affordable for all Virginians, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to achieve and succeed.”
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, Secretary of Education
Dr. Jeffery O. Smith is an educator who has more than 32 years of service in public-school education. He spent 15 years as a superintendent, with eight years as superintendent in Hampton City Schools (HCS), and seven years as superintendent in the Town of West Point. Dr. Smith served as the assistant superintendent for instruction with Amelia County Public Schools, assistant superintendent for academic services with Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools and assistant superintendent for academic services with Newport News Public Schools. He has also served as a member of the adjunct faculty at Old Dominion University and the College of William and Mary.
Under his leadership, Hampton City Schools reached historic milestones: for the first time, all 29 schools earned full accreditation without conditions, graduation rates rose from 88% to nearly 98%, and dropout rates declined from 5.1% to less than 1%. The school division strengthened its dual enrollment program with the Virginia Peninsula Community College, which during his tenure as the superintendent, yielded students earning over 25,000 dual enrollment credits and several high school graduates earning an associate degree as a part of their high school educational pursuit. He co-chaired the nationally recognized Academies of Hampton, which expanded career pathways and positioned Hampton as Virginia’s first Ford Next Generation Learning Community.
Currently, Dr. Smith is the Executive Director and CEO of the Virginia Air and Space Science Center in Hampton, Virginia. Additionally, he continues his over 40 years of pastoral leadership by serving a congregation in Richmond, Virginia.
Dr. Smith’s leadership has been honored at local, state, and national levels. He was named the Region II Superintendent of the Year, the 2020 Virginia Superintendent of the Year, one of four finalists for AASA National Superintendent of the Year, and he received the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Mary Peake Award for Education Equity. In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly recognized his dedicated service and the academic achievements realized by the students while serving as superintendent of Hampton City Schools.
Dr. Smith is married to an educator, Dr. Lorianne Smith, and they are the proud parents of two children.
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