Dr. Rufus Ellis, Jr., a
native Georgian, received his basic education from the Grady County Public Schools,
Cairo, Georgia. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology
from Morris Brown College of the Atlanta University Center, Atlanta, Georgia;
a Masters of Arts in Education from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois;
and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Educational Administration with emphasis
in School Law and Educational Policy from Florida State University, Tallahassee,
Florida.
Dr. Ellis is a Program Director with the Florida Department of Education, Division
of Public Schools and Community Education, Tallahassee, Florida. He serves as
Team Leader for the Office of Public School Choice and Charter Schools. Dr.
Ellis provides assistance in directing, coordinating, and administering Florida’s
Public School Choice and Charter School initiatives, and serves as manager of
the Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program.
Dr. Ellis is a veteran educator with experience in teaching and administration
in the public school system and in higher education. He is a member of numerous
local, state, and national organizations with professional and academic affiliations
including membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development; Black Alliance for Educational Options; Florida
A&M University Evening and Weekend College Advisory Council; Girl Scout
Council of the Apalachee Bend Area; International Black Arts Museum; Kappa Delta
Pi International Honor Society; National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People; National Education Association; Phi Delta Kappa; and The Community
Education and Life Long Learning Program, Harvard University.
Dr. Ellis was named a Woodrow Wilson Fellow in 1984 and a recipient of the
Marion Black Scholarship Award. His career and academic experience have been
tempered by his work and travel to more than 49 different countries and territories,
including countries in Europe, Asia, South America, Latin America, Caribbean,
New Mexico, Canada, and the Continental U.S.A.
