Biography
Dr. Amy Ellis is a champion and trailblazer in creating systems of access and holistic support for students as the Director of the Center for Community Schools at the University of Central Florida’s College of Community Innovation and Education. With nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Ellis has set paths toward transformation, elevating underrepresented voices and pioneering scale-up strategies that redefine educational systems.
Her lifelong commitment to dismantling barriers to education began in Central Florida’s juvenile justice centers where she was dedicated to empowering vulnerable youth challenged by substance use disorders. This early experience would eventually drive her to the forefront of community schools.
During her tenure at Orange County Public Schools, Dr. Ellis spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives to combat bullying, harassment, and discrimination for LGBTQ+ students, setting a national standard for inclusive policies. In 2011, she became the Senior Administrator at Evans High School, where she spearheaded the school’s transformation into Florida’s first Community Partnership School—a model now replicated across 44 sites and 23 districts, serving 42,000 students, supported by an $11 million budget recurring allocation by the legislature. In 2023, Dr. Ellis led the team that secured a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education–one of just five nationwide–to further enhance and scale university assisted community schools in Florida. Over her career, Dr. Ellis has secured over $97 million in grants to advance educational systems and outcomes for students.
Dr. Ellis’s unwavering dedication extends beyond borders, earning her acclaim as an international consultant and thought leader in community school development. Her visionary leadership has garnered international recognition and accolades, including the UCF Center for Community Schools named as the global university hub by U.K.’s International Centre of Excellence for Community Schools (ICECS) in 2018.
The phrase “We are one” is the backbone of Dr. Ellis’s every effort, acknowledging that as she strengthens and grows supports for all, the next generation will rise. With a steadfast commitment to education, Dr. Ellis continues to shape the future of learning, ensuring that every child–regardless of background or life circumstance–has the opportunity to thrive.