Lisa Smoots

Lisa Smoots is the director of Horizons-Upward Bound (HUB) at Cranbrook Educational Community, a college access program that supports first generation students attending Detroit Public Schools Community District. The mission of the program is to ensure students graduate from high school on time and attend the college or university of their choice. 

Smoots has more than 25 years of experience in education with prior roles in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. She has served in many capacities, including director of enrollment management, co-lead of DEI programs, curriculum review, and strategic planning.

Smoots has a whole student philosophy focused on well-being and academic enrichment. HUB is a space where students feel seen, heard, and respected by teachers and peers. They have access to emerging technology, can focus on creativity, and develop critical thinking and executive management skills. In the past four years, HUB students have been selected for national scholarships and programs, including QuestBridge and Gates Scholars.

She serves on the advisory board for the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) and is the former treasurer of the Michigan chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA). She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.