Art McCoy

Dr. Art McCoy is an internationally recognized educator, social entrepreneur, and consultant with a distinguished career in education, community development, and workforce innovation. 

“Dr. McCoy’s engagement with and contributions to the St. Louis community are extensive,” said Lisa Weingarth, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Executive Director of the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” Initiative at WashU, who nominated McCoy. “Dr. McCoy has made an indelible impact on education in the region.”

A trailblazer from the start, McCoy became Missouri’s youngest certified teacher at age 19. By 23, he was a principal; at 25, he served as a district gifted director; and by 33, he became the youngest superintendent/CEO of a mid-to-large school district in Missouri, leading the Ferguson-Florissant School District as its first Black superintendent. He later served as Chief Academic Officer of the MIND Research Institute at the University of California, Irvine, and Base 11. In 2016, McCoy became the superintendent of the Jennings School District, where he achieved national acclaim by ensuring 100 percent career and college placement for students. Upon his retirement from Jennings in 2021, he was named Superintendent Emeritus and Saint Louis University Distinguished Research Fellow and Superintendent in Residence.

McCoy holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Harvard University and has dedicated his career to addressing systemic barriers in education and the workforce. His early work in education paved the way for his leadership in large-scale social impact initiatives, inspiring transformation in schools, nonprofits, and government organizations worldwide.

McCoy has consulted for numerous leading organizations, including the Regional Business Council, Brookings Institute, Cigna/Express Scripts, Centene, Commerce Bank, and World Wide Technology. His expertise has also informed major legislative efforts, such as the Opportunity Zones for the U.S. Tax Reform Bill (2017) and the Heroes Act (2020). McCoy’s influence extends globally, impacting educational institutions and nonprofits in countries like Kenya, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.

As a social entrepreneur, McCoy founded SAGES 501(c)(3) and SAGES LLC, spearheading initiatives that have raised millions of dollars and created lasting community impact. His efforts include establishing two homeless shelters for over 25 students, two food hubs distributing more than five million pounds of food, and two community centers serving over 20,000 residents annually. He also introduced parent-child interaction therapy for over 1,000 vulnerable families in St. Louis.

McCoy’s work has touched the lives of more than one million students and 2,500 schools and colleges across the nation. His achievements have been recognized with over 100 prestigious awards, including the United Negro College Fund’s Keeping the Flame Award, the National Bar Association Sankofa Award, and the Missouri Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award (2023). He also serves on over 35 boards, including Commerce Bank, Johns Hopkins University’s ALACRITY Center, and the King Family Legacy + Foundation.

Through his visionary leadership and dedication, McCoy continues to drive positive change in education, workforce development, and community engagement, leaving an undeniable legacy of impact and innovation.