CCSD leadership announcements

Jermaine Joyner, Vanessa Denney, Kamika Smith, and Vanessa Brown

Charleston County School District (CCSD) announced and welcome the following leaders:

• Jermaine Joyner, Principal, Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies
• Vanessa Denney, Executive Associate, St. John’s High School
• Kamika Smith, Interim Executive Director of Human Resources Business Services

Charleston County School District (CCSD) announced that Vanessa Brown, principal of the Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies (CRCAS), will retire effective June 30, 2026, following a distinguished career serving students and families across the district. Jermaine Joyner has been selected as the next principal of CRCAS and will begin in the role on July 1, 2026.

Brown has dedicated decades to public education in Charleston County, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her steady leadership, commitment to students, and dedication to supporting educators and building strong relationships with families and community partners.

As principal of the Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies, Brown helped strengthen the center’s role as a regional hub for career and technical education, expanding opportunities for students to explore career pathways, gain hands-on experience, and earn industry-recognized credentials aligned with high-demand workforce fields.

Joyner currently serves as principal of St. John’s High School, where he has led significant improvements in student outcomes. Under his leadership, the school’s College and Career Readiness rate increased from 62.1 percent to 96.2 percent, while the four-year graduation rate rose from 87.4 percent to 92.5 percent. He also expanded dual enrollment opportunities and introduced new academic and extracurricular programs to increase student access and engagement.

Charleston County School District (CCSD) also announced that Vanessa Denney, will assume additional leadership responsibilities as the leader of St. John’s High School, beginning July 1, 2026. Denney will assume this role following the appointment of Jermaine Joyner as Principal of the Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies, after the intended retirement of Vanessa Brown.

During his tenure at St. John’s High School, Joyner helped strengthen student outcomes and expand opportunities. The school’s College and Career Readiness rate increased from 62.1 percent to 96.2 percent, while the four-year graduation rate rose from 87.4 percent to 92.5 percent, both earning Excellent ratings on the state report card. He also expanded dual enrollment opportunities and helped launch new academic, arts, and athletic programs. A North Charleston High School graduate, Joyner will now return to the North Charleston community where he once attended school as he begins his next chapter leading the Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies.

And finally, Charleston County School District (CCSD) announced the appointment of Kamika Smith as Interim Executive Director of Human Resources Business Services, a leadership role responsible for overseeing several critical operational functions within the district’s Human Resources division.

In this role, Smith will oversee Human Resources Business Services, including Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Records Management, Unemployment Services, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) compliance, Training and Development, and general HR compliance and personnel action management.

Smith brings more than 15 years of experience in human resources within Charleston County School District, where she has held a variety of progressively responsible roles supporting district operations and employee services. Most recently, she has served as Employee Relations Director, where she has led employee relations processes, including investigations, employee grievances, and appeals, while supporting employees and district leaders in resolving complex personnel matters and ensuring compliance with district policies and state and federal law.