State Superintendent Announces Chair of PGCPS Superintendent Search Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Raven Hill, 410-767-0486
[email protected]
State Superintendent Announces Chair of PGCPS Superintendent Search Committee
BALTIMORE (March 2, 2026) — Today, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright announced the appointment of Dr. James C. Bell, Jr. to chair the superintendent search committee for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). Dr. Bell, a member of the State Board of Education, will serve alongside search committee members Jennifer Avelar and Gordon L. Sampson, who were appointed by Gov. Wes Moore.
Dr. Shawn Joseph is serving as PGCPS Interim Superintendent through June 30, 2026. He was appointed in June 2025 by Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy.
By state law, the County Executive must select a County Superintendent between February 1 and June 1, and the Prince George’s County Board of Education shall complete the appointment on or before June 30. The State Superintendent must approve the appointment.
The County Executive must select a Superintendent from a list of three nominees recommended by the search committee, which consists of one member of the State Board appointed by the State Superintendent and two residents of Prince George’s County, appointed by the Governor. The State Superintendent selects the chair from the three members of the search committee.
Biographies
Dr. James C. Bell, Jr. began his education career as a math teacher and was promoted to assistant principal in Talbot County Public Schools after just two years in the district. He later became a principal and then Supervisor of Student Services in Dorchester County Public Schools, and later Director of Student Services and Secondary Leadership for the Seaford School District in Delaware. He was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Education in 2025 and serves on the State Board’s Education Policy Committee. Dr. Bell is Director of Instruction, Academic Support, and Community Well-Being for Building African American Minds (BAAM) where he leads his team to provide opportunities through community programming. He holds an undergraduate degree from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La., and advanced degrees from Wilmington University in Georgetown, Del.
Jennifer Avelar serves as a C.O.A.S.T. (Creating Opportunities for Academic Success and Transfer) Advisor at Prince George’s Community College, managing pre-enrollment advising for recruitment and dual enrollment. Her previous roles include Parent Engagement Assistant for Prince George’s County Public Schools and Community Resource Advocate for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. She holds an undergraduate degree and multiple certificates from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public policy, specializing in education policy.
Gordon L. Sampson held multiple principal positions in Prince George’s County Public Schools, including Francis Scott Key Middle School (1984-1989), John Eager Howard Elementary School (1981-1984), and Largo High School (1989-2000). He also served as Kent County High School principal, Bowie State University adjunct professor, and National Guard Youth Academy director. His leadership roles extend to serving as Chairman of the Bowie State University Foundation and President of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals. Sampson’s honors include 2002 Kent County Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year and 2006 MetLife Principal of the Year in 2006. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Bowie State University, with additional graduate studies at various institutions, including Howard University and The George Washington University.
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