Director

503-823-4433 markisha.smith@portlandoregon.gov

Dr. Markisha Smith previously served as Director for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Oregon Department of Education.  Her work is specifically focused on best practice in equity, diversity, and inclusion, culturally responsive practice and closing opportunity/access/belief gaps for historically and currently marginalized groups across the state. Markisha’s previous experience includes working as the Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education at Warner Pacific College, as an Assistant Professor at Western Oregon University and Northern Michigan University, and as a high school English teacher in Houston, Texas for nine years. She is a proud mother of two beautiful children, Cadence and Bryson.