Dr. Royal A. Gurley, Jr. was named Superintendent of Charlottesville City Schools in September 2021. Dr. Gurley is an educator and equity ambassador with 20 years of experience who is committed to transformational leadership that prioritizes access and opportunities to learn for all students. Prior to coming to Charlottesville, Dr. Gurley served as the assistant superintendent for academic services for the Dinwiddie County Public Schools since 2017. There, in addition to maintaining 100% accreditation for all the district’s schools, he focused efforts and resources to support the goal of all students reading on level by grade three. He also organized an equity task force that evaluated school policies and curriculum through a lens of cultural relevance and inclusivity. Dr. Gurley currently serves in statewide roles as a member of the Virginia Department of Education Equity Task Force and Return to School Task Force and a member of the Virginia Social Emotional Learning Stakeholder Workgroup. Dr. Gurley earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Master of Education, and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Virginia State University. Additionally, he earned a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Instructional Technology and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Most recently, Dr. Gurley completed the Urban Superintendents Academy at the University of Southern California. Dr. Gurley and his husband, Derrek Carter-Gurley, live in Charlottesville with their labradoodle, Cooper. Dr. Gurley is a native of Sussex County, Virginia and an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.