\n Education in West Virginia will loom large over the Capitol this year as policy makers consider measures to address issues raised in a recent "\;education audit"\; of the state&rsquo\;s public school system commissioned by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Education Alliance President/CEO Patricia S. Kusimo\, Ph.D.\, one of the state&rsquo\;s foremost independent voices on the state of our schools will discuss the audit and ways to enhance education for West Virginia children at the next Elevations Professional Women&rsquo\;s Network luncheon\, to be held Wednesday\, February 6\, at the Holiday Inn Hotel &\; Suites at the Charleston Conference Center in South Charleston. The event opens with registration and informal networking at 11:45 p.m. followed by lunch at noon.
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\n The Education Alliance is West Virginia'\;s premier statewide\, nonprofit research and K-12 public education fund. It advocates for policies and practices to continually improve public school achievement in West Virginia.
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\n \;Reservations are $30 Alliance members/$40 future members through Jan. 31. Prices increase to $40 Alliance members/$50 future members after that date.

\n Register via the link above. If you work with an Alliance member business and need help accessing your password to secure your member discount\, email Leigh Anne Strickland for assistance.

\n The mission of the 1\,700-member Elevations group is to "\;enrich\, empower and elevate women to achieve success."\;?@ Through luncheons\, educational programs and other events\, Elevations connects women with the contacts\, resources and information to help them\, their businesses and their community succeed.
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\n Dr. Kusimo'\;s commitment to educating children spans more than 25 years. Prior to joining The Education Alliance in December 2008\, Dr. Kusimo was the President/CEO of the West Virginia Center for Professional Development\, where she led the state agency in ensuring West Virginia educators had access to the professional development needed to improve student achievement. Dr. Kusimo has been a classroom teacher\, an associate college professor\, an educational researcher\, a business owner\, an author and a professional developer. When needed\, she has worn the hats of community activist\, impromptu legislative lobbyist\, tutor\, mentor and vocal advocate in order to improve the education of young people in West Virginia especially African American and low income children.

\n Dr. Kusimo graduated with bachelor'\;s degree in mathematics from Hampton University\, a master'\;s degree in education from Pepperdine University and a doctoral degree in educational administration from Texas A&\;M University.
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\n Dr. Kusimo is the mother of two children\, Olubunmi Kusimo\, an assistant prosecutor\, and Olufemi Kusimo\, a recent graduate of Washington and Lee University\, currently employed at Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City\, Utah. Dr. Kusimo is married to Rev. Joseph Kusimo\, retired Dow engineer and current pastor of Christ Life Church in Charleston.
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