Missy Shores named Cumberland Schools Chief

Educational Leadership grad Missy Shores named Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools

Missy Shores is on the move — and she’s part of a rising wave of Longwood-trained leaders shaping the future of area schools. Named superintendent of Cumberland County Public Schools in April 2025, Shores has moved up from classroom teacher to assistant principal to high school principal, earning her Master of Science Degree in Education from Longwood University along the way.

She’s not alone. In recent years, every Cumberland school has had a Longwood Educational Leadership grad at the helm with Dr. Chip Jones — a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration graduate – as the most recent superintendent. That’s no coincidence. It’s a leadership pipeline built on mentorship, shared values, and a program that turns educators into leaders. 

“Taking classes with other people working locally in education allowed us to network and develop a pool of people to reach out to and discuss ideas with,” Shores said. “We shared experiences and drew on each other's knowledge. It is a great resource to have and gives a shared experience.”

Thanks to Longwood’s cohort model, Shores moved through the program alongside peers who understood regional challenges. 

“We got to know each other, had real conversations about the work, and were able to reach out to one another outside of class to have conversations with each other about things going on.”

These relationships remain a lasting support that Shores continues to draw on as she steps into the role of superintendent. 

“The most meaningful part of this appointment is the trust that the Board of Education in Cumberland has placed in me,” she said. “In this role, I will continue the work begun by Dr. Chip Jones. He absolutely had us moving in the right direction, and we want to maintain that momentum and focus on instruction and student achievement. Our goal will continue to be giving our students the skills they need to be successful in their future endeavors.”

Shores adds that she feels well prepared for the challenges of leading Cumberland’s rural school district because of her experience at Longwood.

“My time at Longwood and the courses I took gave me foundational knowledge and a background in decision making,” she said. “I know that I have a network of resources at Longwood and people through the program…When I reach out to professors or the Department of Education, help is but a phone call away.”

Shores continues to lean on Longwood faculty who have been in her shoes and can offer real-world insights. 

“The broad span of experience among the faculty also is beneficial because if it is something that can happen, it is likely that someone on staff has experienced it or can share stories to make the information relatable,” said Shores. 

Looking back, she has no hesitation recommending Longwood’s program.

“The rigor of the program, the resources used to present materials, the discussions in class, and the network of support is top notch. I am proud to say that I am a graduate of Longwood's graduate program and will promote the school to future potential students.”