#United States #Salt Lake City #Graduation Alliance #Dr. Shawn Smith #Ron Klausner

Graduation Alliance Appoints Dr. Shawn Smith as New CEO

In an exciting development for the education sector, Graduation Alliance has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Shawn Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer. This strategic decision marks a significant shift as the organization aims to further enhance its mission of providing alternative educational opportunities for both youth and adults in the U.S. Dr. Smith, who joined Graduation Alliance in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer, succeeds Ron Klausner, who served as CEO for nearly a decade.

Ron Klausner reflects positively on his nearly ten-year tenure, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to expand Graduation Alliance from a modest online program to a thriving organization with almost 500 dedicated individuals. He states, "It has been the joy of my career to serve as the CEO of Graduation Alliance and grow the organization to its current stature. Dr. Smith has the experience, knowledge, and passion to elevate our impact further. I will be here to support him as we embark on this new journey."

Dr. Shawn Smith brings nearly 30 years of rich experience in the field of education. Prior to his role at Graduation Alliance, Dr. Smith was the Chief Innovation Officer for McGraw Hill, and he was instrumental in co-founding Modern Teacher, serving as its CEO for nine years. His earlier roles include being the Chief of Schools at Chicago Public Schools, where he made significant contributions to educational reforms. As a nationally recognized expert on digital education and pedagogy, Dr. Smith is well-suited to lead Graduation Alliance into its next phase of growth.

In his comments regarding this new chapter, Smith expressed eagerness to build on the solid foundation established by Klausner. He remarks, "Ron's leadership and business skills have fostered remarkable growth over the past decade, allowing us to better serve learners of all ages across the nation. I look forward to guiding Graduation Alliance into a thriving future."

Klausner's legacy includes substantial achievements in expanding the organization's reach. Graduation Alliance has successfully facilitated graduation for nearly 30,000 students since 2015, emphasizing not just high school-aged youth but also adults seeking to complete their education. Under his guidance, the organization developed various programs designed to help individuals achieve educational goals, including:-

• - An alternative graduation pathway for middle and high school students
• - Adult Workforce Diploma Programs in nine states
• - Partnerships with universities for enrollment and coaching support
• - Skill development programs targeting post-secondary certifications and job readiness.

Kyle Matter, Managing Director at KKR and a member of the Graduation Alliance board, highlighted the importance of this leadership transition. He stated, "This change marks the beginning of a new era of growth and expansion for Graduation Alliance. We are genuinely excited to see how Dr. Smith will help in transforming lives through educational initiatives."

Since its inception in 2007, Graduation Alliance has provided vital support and resources to schools and communities throughout the nation, working collaboratively with school districts, town governments, nonprofits, workforce development boards, and community colleges. Their efforts focus on developing alternative education programs and workforce training aimed at helping individuals achieve their educational and career goals.

As Graduation Alliance steps into this new era under Dr. Shawn Smith’s leadership, the organization looks primed to continue making a profound impact in the realm of education, promising innovative approaches that cater to the diverse needs of today's learners. For more information about Graduation Alliance, please visit their official website at GraduationAlliance.com.