The University of Oklahoma
College of Liberal Studies
Brock International Prize in Education
Carolyn Witt Jones
2010 Brock Prize Nominee
Carolyn Witt Jones is a recognized leader in the national movement to improve the public education system through powerful and prolific partnerships that have proven to expedite significant, effective and efficient education reform.
Since 1991, Ms. Jones has consistently excelled in her role as executive director of the Partnership for Kentucky Schools, a statewide organization established by leaders of national corporations with strong ties to Kentucky’s United Parcel Service, Ashland, Inc., and Humana, Inc. More than 50 leaders from education, business, civic and government groups across the state joined the Partnership and established a 10-year commitment that calls for successfully implementing and advancing significant education reform.
In 1998, the Partnership for Kentucky Schools earned the State Business Coalition of the Year Award from the National Alliance of Business for “business-led coalitions that have made outstanding contributions to improving student achievement at the state or local level.”
Her organization also received the inaugural Leaders for Change Decade Award from the Council for Aid to Education, which said: “Rarely has the Council come across a program so bold, systemic, and long-lasting that it merits special acknowledgement.”
Most recently, Ms. Jones received the National Education-Business Partnership Leader Award from the National Association of Partners in Education and McKee Food Corporation for being “the driving force behind the Partnership’s consistent, targeted work to unite the diverse needs of education, business, and the community in support of Kentucky’s schools.”
Ms. Jones holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Guidance and Counseling, and an honorary doctoral degree from Georgetown College in Lexington, Ky. Her professional experience in education spans more than 30 years. Prior to joining the Partnership for Kentucky Schools, she served as: an assistant and associate professor at the college level; director of planning for a large public school district; consultant for education and business in a variety of areas; and public elementary school teacher.
