Dr. Edison Kelly, director of Student Services for the Vallejo City Unified School District, has been selected as the 2025 Student Services Administrator of the Year for his transformative leadership, deep commitment to equity, and decades of service to students.

Throughout his career in education, Kelly has consistently championed programs that support students of color and those facing academic, social and emotional challenges. He founded the Emerging Gentlemen and Ladies in Training program to provide mentorship and support, and spearheaded the Leadership Academy, which boasts a 98 percent graduation rate for students at risk of expulsion.

Under his direction, VCUSD has seen a 3.4 percent reduction in suspensions and a 22.6 percent drop in chronic absenteeism. He also led efforts to improve attendance districtwide, resulting in a decrease from 58.4 percent chronic absenteeism in 2022 to 35.8 percent.

Kelly’s innovative initiatives include the Eagle Program in the district’s leadership academy and juvenile hall programs, and the Relevant Educational Learning model, which integrates core academics with real-world electives. These programs enhance student engagement and outcomes while building critical life skills.

A leader beyond the district, Kelly serves as director of the Willie B. Adkins College Preparatory Program and teaches at Touro University. He presents at statewide conferences and has contributed to professional growth initiatives at both ACSA and CAAASA. In addition, he authored the book “Crack Slippers: Does All Mean All” about students who slip through the cracks.

Kelly’s impact is unmistakable. His student-centered, equity-driven approach has reshaped VCUSD and inspired a new generation of educational leaders.

What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership? “Leadership in our communities means showing up when it’s hard, speaking up when it’s risky, and lifting up others when nobody else will.” — Pedro Noguera

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? The best advice I’ve ever received as a leader is this: You’re not valued for what you do — you're valued for what you know and how you lead others with that knowledge.

Leadership isn’t about being busy or doing all the work yourself. It’s about casting vision, orchestrating purpose, and building systems that bring that vision to life. Your true influence shows up in how well others are equipped and inspired to carry the mission forward.

When you're leading well, people don't just follow instructions — they believe in the direction. They move with you, not because they have to, but because they trust the vision you’ve built. And when that happens, the work doesn’t just get done — it gets done with excellence and energy.

Great leaders don’t carry it all — they create a structure that carries others.

What’s your best strategy for work-life balance? My best strategy for work-life balance begins with this truth: it’s not really a balance — it’s a priority.

If life and work were on a scale, life should always weigh heavier. Work exists to support your purpose, not to replace it. When you know your purpose, your work becomes more aligned, more intentional. But if you’re not working for your purpose, then that job should be temporary — not a life sentence.

As for the life side of the scale, my strategy is rooted in gratitude and growth. I challenge myself to learn something new every day. I try to laugh — really laugh — at least seven times a day. I go to bed aiming to be better than I was when I woke up. And through it all, I acknowledge God — because none of it should ever be taken for granted.

Work can be fulfilling, but life is sacred. That’s the balance I protect.

What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator? First, step away from the desk. Close the laptop, silence the email notifications, and go connect. Nothing replaces face-to-face relationships. Make time to walk your campus, talk to your staff, listen to students, and build authentic connections. People before paperwork — always.

Second, know your core. Define your non-negotiables early, and don’t compromise them — not for convenience, not for pressure, and not for popularity. Your values will be tested, and what you stand on will guide you through the noise.

Third, cast a clear vision — one flexible enough to grow but strong enough to anchor you. Don’t get lost in every new initiative or trendy idea. Stick to your “why,” even when the “what” keeps changing.

Fourth, give yourself permission to be human. You won’t finish everything. You will make mistakes. That’s not failure — that’s leadership. Growth happens when grace and grit coexist.

Fifth, remember this: you are not the fixer of problems — you are the builder of systems. Your job isn’t to carry every burden; it’s to create a structure where others can thrive and contribute to solutions.

Lastly, protect your rhythm. Know when to work, when to rest, when to cry, and when to laugh. Make room for all of it — your humanity is not a weakness; it’s part of your strength. Lead with visibility. Serve with purpose. And always chase your why — not just your what.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? What might surprise people most about me is how deeply connected I am to my indigenous roots.

Beyond my work in education and leadership, I have a deep appreciation for the spiritual and cultural legacy of my African and Native American ancestry. I collect traditional walking sticks — not just as artifacts, but as symbols of journey, wisdom and heritage. I also design crystal bracelets, using stones that carry historical and healing significance.

This isn’t just a hobby — it’s a quiet passion. I read extensively about ancestral traditions, cultural practices, and indigenous knowledge systems. While time hasn’t always allowed me to fully dive in, I feel a growing pull toward it — like my roots are calling me back to something ancient, powerful and sacred.

It’s a personal journey of rediscovery — one that continues to shape how I lead, connect, and reflect.

What made you want to become a school administrator? For me, it wasn’t a “what” that made me want to become an administrator — it was a “who.”

The reason I stepped into educational leadership is because of one man: my mentor, Joseph Jones. From the moment he discovered I had earned my administrative credential, he began to speak about me — not just as a potential leader, but as a leader already in motion.

Mr. Jones has a gift for making the complex feel simple. I still remember when I was hesitating to apply for my first administrative role and asked him, “Do you think I’m ready?” His response was immediate and firm: “What? You are ready. Don’t let me hear you question that again.”

What took an entire leadership academy to teach, Mr. Jones poured into me during real conversations. His belief in me, his wisdom, and his steady presence have shaped every leadership decision I’ve made. From my first administrative post to every role since, he’s been a constant guide and influence.

His leadership lit the path for mine — and I carry that legacy into every room I walk into.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are? The biggest challenge I’ve had to confront on my journey has been the person staring back at me in the mirror.

I am — and have always been — my own toughest critic. That inner voice of doubt, the second-guessing, the hesitation to fully step into who God created me to be ... it’s been both a barrier and a constant battle. At times, that self-doubt hasn’t just limited me — it’s limited those around me, too.

But here’s the truth: While I haven’t fully overcome it, I’m learning to live through it. I’ve come to recognize that this challenge serves a purpose. It keeps me grounded. It keeps me talking to God. And if I’m being real — God keeps winning those internal debates.

I’ve learned that overcoming doesn’t always mean erasing the struggle — it means growing in the midst of it. And that ongoing conversation with God is what reminds me daily: I’m still becoming who I was meant to be, and that’s OK.

What are you most proud of accomplishing? Without question, the accomplishment I’m most proud of is my family.

Over 33 years ago, I married the love of my life, the beautiful Mrs. Kelly. What began with just the two of us and our daughter has grown into a legacy — six children who are thriving and eight grandchildren who continue to inspire us every day.

But what fills me with the deepest pride isn’t just their achievements — it’s the character they carry. If you ask any one of my children what they think of me, they’ll all say the same thing: “He’s real.”

The man people see in front of the crowd — the leader, the speaker, the mentor — is the same man they see at home: consistent, grounded and authentic.

That alignment — between who I am publicly and who I am privately — is important to me. Because at the end of the day, titles and accomplishments fade, but legacy starts at home.

How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position? ACSA has played a major part in my professional growth and leadership journey.

I began my involvement with ACSA back in 2002-03 as a middle school teacher pursuing my administrative credential. Since then, ACSA has played a vital role in shaping the educator and leader I’ve become. Through its rich offerings — workshops, conferences, leadership academies, and targeted training — I’ve gained invaluable knowledge, tools, and insights to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education.

But beyond professional development, what has impacted me most is the power of relationships and networking. ACSA created a statewide community of leaders, and through that network, I’ve built lasting connections with administrators from across California. Those relationships have become more than just contacts — they’ve been sources of mentorship, collaboration, encouragement, and support throughout my career. ACSA didn’t just support me — it surrounded me with a village of leaders committed to growth, equity and excellence. That’s something I carry into every role I serve.

The theme for this year’s Leadership Summit is “Lead Loudly: Sharing Stories, Building Bridges.” What does Leading Loudly mean to you? To me, leading loudly isn’t about volume, charisma, or commanding attention — it’s about leaving a lasting impact.

It’s not about what you say, how dynamic you appear, or how bold your presence is. True leadership is measured by the results that remain after the noise fades.

You can be the most courageous, charismatic, and captivating leader in the room, but once the applause ends — what’s left?

Have the people you served grown? Are the staff or team members you led better than they were before? Did your leadership shift the trajectory of the organization?

If your time in leadership leaves no evidence of progress, no legacy of change, then you didn’t truly “Lead Loudly.”

You just made noise — and ultimately, it was a waste of time.

As Dr. Asa Hilliard once said: “I have never encountered any children in any group who were not geniuses. There was no mystery on how to teach them. The mystery is why it is not being done.”

Leading loudly means making sure it does get done — and leaving behind undeniable proof that it did.