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About the Founder

About Nakisha D. Smith, M.Ed.  
​Visionary Leader in Education & Business


 


Nakisha D. Smith, M.Ed., is a distinguished higher education professional, business strategist, and knowledge management expert with over 18 years of experience in academic administration and healthcare education. As the Chief Education Officer of MasterEd Services, LLC, Nakisha leverages her expertise in student success, career development, and process documentation to empower individuals and organizations alike.          


Her passion for education is deeply rooted in her academic journey. Nakisha holds a:                                   
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education (Student Affairs) – Liberty UniversityLU Seal
    • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services – Old Dominion University  ODU Seal                                                       
    • Associate of Science (AS) in General Studies – John Tyler Community College  JTCC Seal


She has dedicated her career to supporting transfer students, marginalized learners, and academic professionals, particularly within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).


Nakisha has served in key roles within both the academic and healthcare divisions of the University of Virginia, providing administrative leadership and process improvement. Her contributions to the UVA Health System reflect her expertise in healthcare education, student support, and operational efficiency, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff receive the highest quality educational and professional experiences.


In her current role as Student Experiences of Teaching Specialist at the University of Virginia, Nakisha plays a critical role in academic assessment and faculty development, ensuring excellence in course evaluations using Blue software by Explorance. Her work directly contributes to enhancing the student learning experience at one of the nation’s top R1, flagship universities.


Nakisha’s success is deeply aligned with her CliftonStrengths, which highlight her natural leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities:

    1.  Strategic – She quickly identifies patterns and opportunities to create innovative solutions.
    2.  Achiever – Her relentless drive ensures she meets and exceeds goals in education and business.
    3.  Learner – Passionate about continuous growth, she stays ahead of trends in higher education and entrepreneurship.
    4.  Maximizer – She excels at transforming potential into excellence, both for herself and those she mentors.
    5.  Responsibility – Deeply committed to her work, she follows through with integrity and dedication.


Beyond academia, Nakisha is a visionary entrepreneur, leading MasterEd Services, LLC with a mission to provide administrative support, educational consulting, career coaching, professional training, business formation services, and notary solutions. She is also a Virginia Notary Public, expanding her Remote Online Notary (RON) services to better serve clients nationwide.

Her expertise extends into digital business strategies, where she is building an online vocational training program for young learners and developing ebooks on academic and career success. As a proud advocate for Zoho’s business tools, she incorporates them into her consulting services as part of the Zoho Affiliate Program.


Nakisha’s leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment, innovation, and service. She believes in breaking barriers for underrepresented students, optimizing business processes, and inspiring others to achieve their goals. Her ultimate vision is to bridge education and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for lifelong learning and success.