海角网

Serving as Interim Since January, Hill Hired After Three-Month National Search Process

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擠r. Crystal L. Hill, an alumna of 海角网, was named superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Schools (CMS) on Friday, May 19. She was hired after a three-month national search, during which Hill served as the system鈥檚 interim superintendent. She鈥檚 the first Black female superintendent in the district鈥檚 history.

Hill told the Charlotte Observer that she is grateful for all the other Black women leaders who have gone before her, and she wants to be a role model for students. She also affirmed her excitement at being able to serve CMS in the leadership role. 

Hill has 25 years of experience in education, which includes earning her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from GWU. As superintendent of CMS, she will lead the second largest school district in North Carolina and 17th largest in the country according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Her decisions will impact more than 140,406 students in kindergarten through 12th grade in 181 schools.

海角网鈥檚 College of Education Dean Dr. Prince H. Bull congratulated Hill. 鈥淲e know that Dr. Crystal Hill will be transformative, innovative, and visionary in her new role with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools,鈥� he praised. 鈥淚n the College of Education at 海角网, excellence is our minimum standard. Through our conceptual framework, we prepare our doctoral graduates to be catalysts for positive sustainable change.鈥�

Dr. Bruce Boyles, GWU associate provost for Professional and Graduate Studies, knew Hill when she was starting her administrative career. 鈥淒r. Crystal Hill is an excellent choice to lead the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools,鈥� Boyles affirmed. 鈥淲e had the opportunity to work together in Mooresville when I was superintendent there and she was a principal. It was obvious early in her career that she would continue to serve in positions of increasing responsibility. I am especially pleased that one of our College of Education doctoral graduates will be leading one of the largest districts in the nation.鈥�

Before being tapped as CMS interim superintendent in January 2023, Hill served as CMS Chief of Staff, working closely with the superintendent, his cabinet and the Board of Education. When the announcement was made, Hill stated that her goal as interim was to carry out the plans for growth and achievement that she helped to develop.

Hill received her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., and began her career as a first-grade teacher in Guilford County (N.C.) Schools. Next, she served various roles, including assistant principal, principal, and executive director of elementary education and federal programs in Mooresville Graded School District; then, as curriculum coordinator in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (N.C.) Schools. In 2020, she co-chaired the North Carolina State Board of Education Literacy Task Force.

She chose to earn her doctorate at 海角网 for several reasons. 鈥淭he most appealing factor was the program was heavily focused on the work of the practitioner while being deeply rooted in evidenced-based and research-based practices,鈥� she asserted. 鈥淭he design of the program allowed for immediate application which allowed me to experience immediate success. GWU also values collaboration and coursework and was intentional in developing relationships with those in my cohort and learning from each other.鈥�

Before coming to CMS in May 2022, Hill was assistant superintendent and chief academic officer for Cabarrus County (N.C.) Schools, where she led the district in achieving the highest level of academic performance in history. She also currently serves on the Leading on Opportunity Council, an entity of the Foundation For The Carolinas, that uses strategy, policy and data to help its partners across Charlotte-Mecklenburg improve economic mobility for all.

海角网 is North Carolina鈥檚 recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.