We're thrilled to announce that Dr. Melvin J. Brown has joined Defined as our new Superintendent in Residence! Dr. Brown brings decades of leadership experience in large K-12 systems. Drawing on his tenure as superintendent in districts such as Montgomery Public Schools, he advances Defined’s mission by helping school systems scale career-connected learning from kindergarten through graduation. His work focuses on guiding district leaders to design and implement sustainable, system-wide pathways that prepare every student for lifelong success. Dr. Brown brings invaluable insights to help districts nationwide connect classrooms to careers through deeper learning.
We sat down with Dr. Brown to discuss his vision for the future of education and how Defined's career-connected learning solutions can drive meaningful change in schools and communities.
Future-ready skills are not optional—they are foundational. In a world where automation, rapid change, and global interdependence define the workforce, students must be agile thinkers, effective communicators, and empathetic collaborators. These are not just workforce skills; they’re life skills. Schools must intentionally embed opportunities for students to engage in problem-solving, dialogue, and teamwork across content areas. The future will belong to those who can adapt, work across differences, and think beyond the obvious.
Deeper learning levels the playing field. It shifts the focus from rote memorization to meaningful engagement, from compliance to curiosity. When students, especially those historically marginalized, see relevance in their learning and are empowered to think critically and solve real problems, they thrive. Deeper learning environments promote equity because they honor students’ identities, encourage voice and agency, and provide the scaffolds necessary for all to access rigorous content. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have for dismantling opportunity gaps.
By the time students reach high school, many of their perceptions about what’s possible have already solidified. Early exposure to career pathways expands their imagination and gives them permission to dream beyond their immediate circumstances. When we introduce career-connected learning in the formative years, we spark curiosity and plant seeds that grow into purpose. Waiting until high school is simply too late. We must help children connect who they are to who they can become, starting early and often.
Performance tasks and project-based learning transform abstract concepts into authentic experiences. They allow students to wrestle with real challenges, apply academic knowledge in meaningful ways, and understand how their learning connects to the world outside the classroom. These experiences build confidence and competence. When students see that the math they’re doing or the writing they’re crafting has relevance beyond a grade, they become more invested, more curious, and more prepared for the future of work and citizenship.
We need to broaden our definition of success. That means integrating performance-based assessments, capstone projects, student portfolios, and real-time feedback loops. These tools give us a fuller, richer picture of student growth—not just what they know, but how they apply, adapt, and reflect. Districts must be bold in reimagining assessment systems that honor student agency and showcase authentic learning. The goal is not just measuring knowledge, but capturing transformation.
Schools are economic engines. When we align K-12 career-connected learning with local industry needs, we create a symbiotic relationship—students gain purpose, and communities gain pipelines. These programs help keep talent local, reduce workforce shortages, and promote upward mobility. It's not just about getting kids ready for jobs; it’s about shaping thriving, self-sustaining communities. Strategic partnerships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences are the bridge between education and economic growth.
Start with relationships. Know your community, listen to their needs, and co-create solutions. Don’t approach businesses as sponsors—approach them as partners in shaping the future. Superintendents must be intentional in aligning educational outcomes with regional workforce goals and ensuring that equity is at the center of these partnerships. Clear communication, shared vision, and mutual benefit are key. When everyone sees their stake in student success, partnerships flourish.
One of the biggest challenges is cultural—shifting mindsets from traditional, test-driven systems to student-centered, inquiry-based models. There’s also the issue of time, resources, and the professional development needed to support educators. To overcome these barriers, districts must lead with clarity, consistency, and courage. Invest in teacher capacity, model what deeper learning looks like, and create systems of support. Change is hard, but when you anchor it in student purpose, it becomes urgent and necessary.
Career-connected learning disrupts the narrative that opportunity is only for a select few. When done well, it democratizes access to high-quality experiences—internships, mentorships, dual enrollment—so that every student, not just the privileged, can see and seize their potential and their opportunities. It’s about building ecosystems of support where all students can explore interests, develop skills, and access networks that help them thrive. Equity must be built into the design, not added as an afterthought.
Superintendents must reframe the narrative—these investments aren’t extras, they’re essentials. Career-connected and deeper learning programs address everything from engagement and achievement to workforce readiness and economic equity. The key is to align funding with strategic goals and demonstrate impact through data and student stories. Blending federal, state, and private funding streams—while cultivating cross-sector partnerships—can help sustain these efforts. If we truly believe in preparing students for life, not just for tests, then we must fund accordingly.
My vision is one where education is liberation—not just preparation. A system where every child is known, affirmed, and empowered to thrive. We must move from compliance to curiosity, from sorting to supporting, from standardization to personalization. In the next decade, I want to see schools that are hubs of innovation, healing, and opportunity—where community, culture, and career come together. Education must evolve to meet the future, but more importantly, it must evolve to honor the humanity of every child we serve.
Joining Defined was a natural extension of the work I’ve committed my entire career to—centering equity, expanding access, and ensuring that every student is prepared not just for graduation, but for life. Throughout my journey as a superintendent and educational leader, I’ve consistently championed deeper learning, future-ready skills, and career-connected experiences that empower students to thrive in a complex and evolving world. Defined represents all of that—and more.
I was drawn to Defined because of its unapologetic focus on relevance, rigor, and real-world connection. The work isn’t just about curriculum—it’s about transformation. It’s about designing learning that is meaningful to students, rooted in identity, and aligned with the demands of the future. I wanted to be part of a team that believes schools can be places of purpose, not just performance.
This move also allowed me to scale impact. As a superintendent, I was able to lead transformation within a district. At Defined, I can support systems and leaders across the country in designing experiences that truly prepare students for what lies ahead. It’s not a job—it’s a continuation of my mission. And joining Defined means I get to do this work with people who share my values and who believe, as I do, that students deserve more than just preparation—they deserve possibility.
Dr. Melvin J. Brown is the President and CEO of Soul Vision, LLC, an equity-centered and growth mindset focused consulting organization that provides motivational and keynote speaking, educational consulting, and leadership development.
He has also served as the Vice President for Client & Partner Engagement for Bailey Education Group, an educational services company committed to partnering with all schools and districts to improve the lives of all children through customized professional development and side-by-side teacher coaching. He previously served as Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools (AL) until November of 2022 and as Superintendent of the Reynoldsburg City Schools District in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, from 2017 to 2022.
He has served as Superintendent in Residence and Visiting Professor at The Ohio State University. Formerly, he served as Deputy Superintendent for Cuyahoga Falls City Schools (OH) and prior to that as its Director of Human Resources. He also has served as Regional Vice President for Mosaica Education Inc. and as Associate Superintendent for Prince William County Schools (VA). Additionally, he has six years of experience as an elementary school principal and two years of experience as a middle school principal.
Dr. Brown holds an Ed.D. in Educational Studies from The Ohio State University. He also holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree in English from James Madison University.
Dr. Brown is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and serves on several boards of directors, has chaired various committees, and is active with AASA and other national networks. He is a 2021 honoree of Central Ohio’s “A Tribute to African Americans Committee, Inc.” and is Co-Author of STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st Century Graduate. He is also the 2024 recipient of the Dwight D. Jones Courageous Leader Award from the Institute for Education Innovation.
We're excited to have Dr. Brown's expertise and leadership as part of the Defined team. His insights will help us continue to support districts in creating authentic learning experiences that prepare students for success in college, career, and life.
To learn more about how Defined can support your district's deeper learning initiatives, contact us today.