Dr. Carol D. Birks is a catalytic and transformational educational thought leader with extensive experience in organizational leadership, community engagement and empowerment, executive coaching and change management. The leadership practices she implements are designed to enhance the systems, structures, and practices within organizations to accelerate academic progress and promote systems thinking.
Dr. Birks began her career as a teacher, quickly growing her administrative capacity by serving as a school, district, and state leader. These roles include Teacher, Assistant Principal & Principal for Bridgeport Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent, and Chief of Staff for Hartford Public Schools, and Superintendent of Schools for New Haven Public Schools, and Chester Upland School District. Currently Dr. Birks is the Superintendent for the Allentown School District located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Birks holds a Doctoral Degree and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College. She also earned a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Bridgeport and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Hampton University. She also attained a Superintendent’s Certification from the University of Connecticut’s NEAG School of Education.
Dr. Birks has a strong commitment to community service and civic engagement. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and The Links Incorporated. Dr. Birks serves as on several local an national boards including the Advisory Board of the League of Innovative Schools, the Advisory Board for the Cambridge University Press and Assessment. She is a Regional Board Member for Hartford Healthcare’s St. Vincent’s Hospital. Dr. Birks is also an Executive Board Member and Scholarship Chairperson for The Greater Fairfield County Foundation, Incorporated. Dr. Birks also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Da Vinci Science Center, the Board of Trustees for The Galaxy Fund, and is a Board Member for The Century Promise.
The Board of School Directors completed the Superintendent’s annual performance evaluation for the 2024–2025 school year in accordance with the Public School Code. The Board determined that the Superintendent met the objective performance standards established for the evaluation period.
Dr. Birks’ selected presentations, speaking engagements, publications, and awards.
Policy Leadership and Change: The Urban Superintendent. Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2019.
Human Capital: Overall strategy of improvement in District Improvement. Emerging Human Capital Leaders Initiative, VA, 2019.
The Achievement Gap Legal and Educational Challenges. Shipman & Goodwin LLP: Hartford, CT, 2019.
A Response to Dr. Linda Darling- Hammond Plenary Speaker. Reflections on Yale University’s School Development Program’s 50th Anniversary, New Haven, CT, 2018.
Systemic Planning for Sustained Family and Community Engagement, Columbia University Teachers College, 2014.
Providing Effective Feedback to Teachers, Schools for Tomorrow Leadership Institute, Pantanal, Brazil, 2013.
Panel Discussion, High School Community College Partnerships. New England Association of Schools (NEASC) National Conference, Boston, MA, 2006.
Bridging the High School/ Community College Gap. CABE/CAPSS Convention: Out of the Public Schools Grows the Greatness of a Nation, Hartford, CT, 2005.
Students + Parents x GEAR UP Movement to Education Reform. Second National GEAR UP Conference, Washington, DC, 2002.
Birks, C. (2025). The Morning Call Opinion: Opinion by Allentown School District superintendent: Everything I needed to know I started learning in kindergarten
Birks, C. (2025). The Morning Call Opinion: Lighting the way with Innovation in Allentown Schools. We are leveraging innovation, AI, and future-ready strategies to create meaningful progress.
Birks, C. (2013). Designing an early college high school for African American males. Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Organizational Leadership in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education.
Birks, C. & Richardson, J. (n.d.). Eight ways to make your mark. Principal Leadership: National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Contributor: Birks, C. (2011). What works in partnerships: Making the Mathematics Curriculum Count. National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Contributor: Birks, C. (2011) New principal’s toolkit. National Association of Secondary School Principals.
The Allentown Chamber of Commerce and Allentown School District Strengthened Partnership for Community Impact at the 2024 State of the Allentown School District Event
Allentown, PA — The Allentown Chamber of Commerce proudly announced the 2024 State of the Allentown School District event, in partnership with Superintendent and CEO of the Allentown School District, Dr. Carol D. Birks. This essential event, which took place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the historic Americus Hotel, highlighted the remarkable strides of the Allentown School District. The event emphasized the district's critical role in shaping the region’s future.
The State of the Allentown School District event brought together local leaders, elected officials, business partners, educators, and community members for a powerful morning of insights. Dr. Carol D. Birks, a visionary leader dedicated to educational excellence and community empowerment, presented her vision for the district as attendees looked ahead to 2025. Through her dedication, the Allentown School District had continued to grow as a pillar of strength, providing quality education, nurturing the future workforce, and serving as an essential foundation for community success.
“As an anchor institution within our community, the Allentown School District played a vital role in the lives of our students, families, and the economic landscape of Allentown. Dr. Birks’ leadership and commitment were helping to build a brighter future, and we were honored to support this mission,” said Brittney Ciardi, Senior Vice President of Allentown Initiatives, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Location: Americus Hotel, 555 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101
Time: Registration, networking, and breakfast began at 8:00 a.m.; Presentation began at 9:00 a.m.
This event was free and open to the public. Through sponsorship, local businesses and organizations were able to visibly demonstrate their commitment to the Allentown community and its students. Attendees learned firsthand how the Allentown School District was educating the next generation and cultivating future leaders essential to Allentown’s continued growth.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: St. Luke’s University
Platinum Sponsor: McClure Company
Silver Sponsors: Breslin Architects, City Center Group, and IotaCommUnity Center for Sustainable Innovation
Bronze Sponsors: East Stroudsburg University, Executive Education Academy, Highmark Blue Shield, KCBA Architects, Kurtz Bros., Lehigh Carbon Community College, Service Electric, Smiles 4 Keeps
Venue Sponsor: Americus Hotel
AV Sponsor: AmericaVen
Print Sponsor: EBC Printing
Watch the 2024 State of the Allentown School District Recap
