The Florida State University Schools (FSUS) Board of Directors and FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Dean and Superintendent Damon Andrew have chosen Christopher Small as the new director of FSUS. Small has served as interim director of FSUS since June 2024.
“The Board of Directors unanimously chose Dr. Small due to his impressive history of school administration and excellent record improving K-12 programs. He demonstrates exceptional servant leadership and vision, which we have seen firsthand since his appointment as interim director,” Andrew said. “Clearly, Dr. Small strived to do far more than maintain the status quo while we searched for a new director, and his impact can already be felt in FSUS classrooms and administrative efficiency.”
The search was led by Rosezetta Bobo, who serves as the FSUS Board’s secretary and community representative. Other members of the search committee included Carlos Villa (parent representative), Jimmy Cole (university representative), Sam Nelson (FSUS faculty representative), Matthew McCloskey (FSUS staff representative) and Megan Nguyen (FSUS student representative). The search committee conducted a national search for a new director and ultimately recommended Small to the FSUS Board of Directors.
“Having observed and worked with Dr. Small over the last few months, I can confidently say that he is an excellent leader, and that FSUS will benefit greatly from his talent and passion,” said Darryl Marshall, chair of the FSUS Board of Directors. “Dr. Small has an incredibly positive personality, and his enthusiasm for his work and for the future of our students gives me great confidence in the future of FSUS under his guidance.”
Small earned his doctoral degree from FSU in Educational Leadership and Administration. He later served as director of the online Educational Leadership/Administration program, where he helped the program climb into the top five in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. Before joining FSU as faculty, he also served as dean of students at Jefferson Elementary School, assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at Nims Middle School and principal at Springwood Elementary School and Raa Middle School.
“I am truly humbled to be selected as the new director of Florida State University Schools and to be entrusted with this responsibility is both a privilege and a significant responsibility that I do not take lightly,” said Small. “Our district has a long history of excellence, and I am excited to carry forward that legacy while also embracing the opportunities for continued growth and advancement of our learning community.”
Florida State University Schools is the laboratory school of Florida State University and offers a comprehensive K-12 education. As a charter school affiliated with FSU, Florida State University Schools brings cutting-edge research and practices directly into its classrooms while providing faculty at FSU an opportunity to conduct educational research.