Barbara Dezmon, Ph.D. – CEO
Dr. Dezmon completed her doctorate in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration at the University of Maryland at College Park. During her studies, she focused on the academic achievement of minority students. Dr. Dezmon’s work experience includes classroom teacher, administration, professional development, as well as parent, community, and business relations. Dr. Dezmon served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent as well as Assistant to the Superintendent for Equity and Assurance in Baltimore County Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the nation. In those roles, she provided leadership and support to central offices and schools in many areas and on a range of subjects ranging from administration to curriculum and instruction. She also advised and presented on a broad array of topics, including strategic planning, diversity, differentiation, student achievement, discipline, and cultural responsive education, to assist school districts and other organizations at local, state, and national levels.
In addition to her work on committees and task forces in various arenas, she served as chair of the Maryland State Education That Is Multicultural (ETM) Advisory Council and chair of the Maryland State Department of Education’s Achievement Initiative for Maryland’s Minority Students (AIMMS) Steering Committee, which provided recommendations to improve practices related to the education of minorities as well as oversight and monitoring of minority issues to assist the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and local school systems throughout Maryland. She has directed the production of a number of publications in Maryland, including the state’s initial landmark report on minority achievement and a succinct guide to school district planning. During her work with the MSDE, Maryland attained #1 status for education among states from Education Week. Dr. Dezmon was recognized for contributing substantially to this honor. Dr. Dezmon currently serves as State Education Chair for the Maryland State Conference NAACP and has provided assistance to the organization locally and nationally.
Over the years, Dr. Dezmon has been acknowledged for her outstanding service to education as well as to social and civic organizations and activities. Throughout her career, she has worked to reform practices and to bring many positive changes in education for addressing the needs of students from varied racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. She has worked tirelessly and undeterred to eradicate barriers and establish positive bonds between peoples. In both her personal and professional life, she has proven profound commitment to equity, civil rights, and the welfare of children.