Alumna Lesli Myers-Small named Rochester Superintendent

The Rochester Board of Education selected University of Rochester alumna Dr. Lesli C. Myers-Small ’92 (BA), ‘93W (MS) as its new Superintendent of the Rochester City School District (RCSD). Myers-Small currently serves as Assistant Commissioner of Innovation and School Reform for the New York State Education Department and was confirmed during a Special Meeting on May 18.

> Read the Rochester Board of Education's announcement
> Watch a welcome message from Dr. Myers-Small

“I am excited to start my new role and ready to hit the ground running. While there are priorities relative to establishing relationships, implementing the budget, and reopening schools, first and foremost, my mind is on our students,” said Myers-Small in a press release. While she thoroughly enjoys the work at the New York State Education Department, Myers-Small stated that she is humbled about being named Rochester’s new superintendent, because she is coming home. 
 
Myers-Small attended the University of Rochester, where she received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and Saint John Fisher College, where she received another master’s degree and her doctorate degree.

Myers-Small has nearly three decades of experience as an educator. Before her tenure at the New York State Education Department, she served as superintendent of the Brockport Central School District, where she worked for seven and a half years. While there, she had notable successes, including securing a $459,500 grant to strengthen teacher and leader effectiveness. The grant thereby allowed for teacher collaboration, leadership, empowerment, and decision-making. Further, she engaged schools in self-studies, using a process from the NYSED. She then used that data with the strategic planning committee. That group identified several core beliefs to guide its development of the district’s strategic plan and district-wide decision-making. Further, she created and received funding for a diversity certification program to help assist staff with the changing demographics in the community. 

She is the recipient of several awards, most notably the New York State Association for Women in Administration’s Ann Myers Award; the Distinguished Alumni Award in Educational Leadership from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education; the Urban League of Rochester Educator Award; 40 Under 40 Recipient from the Rochester Business Journal; Athena Award Finalist; Women of Distinction from the New York State Senate; and the University of Rochester Alumni Award given by the university’s student body.