Dr. T. Kenneth James

Dr. T. Kenneth James joined McPherson & Jacobson in 2018.

T. Kenneth James, Ed.D., was originally appointed as Commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education by Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2004 and reappointed by Gov. Mike Beebe in January 2007. While serving as the State Commissioner of Education, he also served as the President of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), and as a member of the CCSSO Board for 5 years. Prior to his appointment as the Commissioner, he served as the Superintendent of Schools in Fayette County Public Schools (Lexington, KY), Little Rock, AR, Van Buren, AR and Batesville, AR.

Dr. James also served as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services with the Escondido Union High School District in Escondido, California. Prior to his Assistant Superintendent’s position in Escondido, he served as a High School Principal in Escondido, and as Assistant High School Principal in the Sand Dieguito Union High School District in Encinitas, California.

Dr. James earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision from Northern Arizona University and the United States International University in San Diego, California, in 1992. He received a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Arkansas State University.
James began his career in education in 1972 and has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, coordinator of planning and assessment and assistant superintendent. His work in California provided him with experience in schools with large minority student populations.

In 1998, he was selected as the Superintendent of the Year for the State of Arkansas.
“It was my privilege and honor to serve as the Commissioner of Education for the state of Arkansas,” said Dr. James. “During my tenure, we worked cooperatively and collaboratively with all stakeholders as we implemented reform initiatives across the state.”