Laurie Smith serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Phil Bryant and Executive Director of the State Workforce Investment Board and the State Early Childhood Advisory Council.
Under Governor Bryant’s leadership, Smith has led numerous legislative efforts to help improve public education in Mississippi. The passage of the 2013 Education Works agenda, including The Literacy Based Promotion Act, Early Childhood Education, Charter Schools, Special Needs Education Scholarship Account, and an A-F rating system for school districts have all resulted in improved outcomes for students.
In 2018, Smith testified before the Congressional House Committee on Education and Workforce on strengthening welfare to work polices, resulting in additional funds for families. Over the course of her career, she has helped to align resources within agencies in developing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plan and helped implement the MS Works technology to help link people to job opportunities.
Smith has a Ph.D. in Education Leadership from Mississippi State University, a M.Ed. from Western New Mexico University, and a B.A. from the University of Arizona.