“I joined the BES Fellowship because I’m passionate about building and designing a school that centers the voices, experiences, and wisdom of the community, so that every student, regardless of background, can thrive and achieve their full potential.”
Dr. Jay Samant’s heart, passion, and experiences are deeply rooted in education. As an immigrant, his parents instilled in him the importance of education at a young age, as they were raised in Mumbai, India, just years after India gained independence from British colonization. Through facing challenges in social and economic mobility, his parents made personal sacrifices to give their children a wealth of opportunities. Dr. Samant was inspired to become an educator as he witnessed firsthand that education is the accelerant to disrupt intergenerational poverty.
For the past 15 years, Dr. Samant has been an educator in various roles, fueling his passion for systemic change and transformative pursuit for academic excellence. His most recent role was working at EdPlus at Arizona State University, and he previously served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs – High School to College Connections at the Community College of Denver. Prior to this, Dr. Samant spent seven years in Denver, Colorado, as a High School Principal, Founding Assistant Principal of Instruction, and Director of Academic Readiness & College Success. Additionally, he served as a District Leader in Special Education in Hampton, Virginia. These experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of the educational landscape and the needs of diverse student populations.
Dr. Samant holds a doctorate in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership PreK-12 from the College of William and Mary. He also earned a Master’s degree in Special Education – Secondary Education from Binghamton University and a Bachelor’s degree in History & Government – Secondary Education from Daemen University.
