Longtime educator and Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt ’92, M.Ed. ’07, will be the University of Mary Washington’s 2025 Commencement speaker.
When the University of Mary Washington’s 2025 Commencement speaker shares her remarks during the May 10 ceremony, the soon-to-be graduates can be certain they are the center of her attention. That’s because Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt ’92, M.Ed ’07, superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), takes a student-centered approach and keeps education at the heart of everything she does.
She is also very familiar with the commencement stage, having celebrated thousands of high school graduates through her time as a teacher, principal, human resources professional and superintendent, and having graduated from Mary Washington twice, first with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then with a Master of Education in educational leadership.
“This dual perspective has been invaluable in my journey, especially as I work to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education and that our schools operate effectively and equitably,” she says. “My education at Mary Washington provided me with a strong foundation in leadership, resilience and perseverance – qualities that have been essential throughout my career. Starting my career as a special education teacher, I learned the importance of advocacy, patience and meeting students where they are on their educational journey. These skills carried over as I moved into leadership roles, including principal, director of human resources and chief of human resources. Each step reinforced my ability to navigate complex systems, foster equitable opportunities and build strong teams.” Read more.
Leave a Reply