Shileste Overton Morris serves as the director of the Center for Schools and Communities, and the Chief Programs Officer at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, an education service agency, where she leads the organization’s equity efforts. The Center provides local, state, national and international services to build capacity in schools, districts, county and state agencies and other children, youth and family serving organizations. Through the provision of professional development, coaching and technical assistance, the Center supports the improvement of educational and life outcomes for individuals from birth through post-secondary. The Center’s work focuses on a continuum of efforts around early childhood care and development, social and emotional learning, educational equity, positive youth development, family support and community service integration, school safety, juvenile justice and youth violence prevention.
Dr. Overton Morris has worked at and with both public and private institutions including nonprofit organizations, foundations and state government agencies building strategic partnerships and leading innovative work. Overton Morris also serves on a number of national, state and local boards, and is the author of several publications, including “Girl Grudges: Learning to Forgive and Live,” written to help clinicians, parents and youth development staff who work with adolescent girls regarding female aggression. She has developed a strong repertoire in topics related to strategic leadership, parent engagement, belonging, equity and inclusion, cultural competence, and education leadership.
Dr. Overton Morris is a graduate of the Education Policy Leadership Fellowship program sponsored by the Institute for is Educational Leadership, Executives in Residence program sponsored by the Association of Education Service Agencies, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Communities Practicing Resiliency, Pennsylvania Private Licensed Schools, and the Education Policy Leadership Institute.