Dr. Alissa Richards

Dr. Alissa Richards has proudly served as a middle school leader within DoDEA for several years and has been the principal at Fort Campbell schools since 2022, first at Mahaffey Middle School and now at Fort Campbell Middle School. She brings a diverse range of leadership experiences from multiple locations, including the DoDEA regional office in Sembach, Germany, as well as off-post school systems in Waterloo, Iowa and Oldham County, Kentucky.

Dr. Richards began her career with eight years of elementary classroom teaching before joining DoDEA in 2010 as an Instructional System Specialist at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell. She launched her administrative career in 2012 as an elementary assistant principal and later principal, and eventually served as principal of Central Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa. During that time, she was honored with the Patriotic Leadership Award for outstanding support to the military community and the Global Leadership Award for fostering a positive culture and academic growth.

In 2017, Dr. Richards returned to Kentucky to lead Oldham County Middle School, where she secured a Toyota grant to implement Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programming, expanding STEM opportunities and creating pathways connected to the local high school. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2018, where her research focused on the relationship between sports participation and increased self-efficacy in middle school students.

Dr. Richards continued her leadership journey in 2020 as a Professional Practice Improvement Specialist with the Center for Instructional Leadership in Sembach, Germany, supporting the East District in advancing DoDEA’s Blueprint priorities. She and her family greatly valued their time stationed overseas, where her own children attended DoDEA schools—an experience that deepened her understanding of the transitions and resilience required of military families.

Coming from a long family history of military service across all branches—Dr. Richards feels a deep personal and professional calling to serve military-connected students and communities. This connection fuels her commitment to creating school environments where students feel supported, valued, and connected.

At Fort Campbell Middle School, which serves grades 5–7, Dr. Richards is dedicated to supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—ensuring each student finds a place to belong and thrive.

Originally from Wyoming, Dr. Richards earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Art from Montana State University Billings, followed by a Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Outside of school, she enjoys cheering on her children in their many activities, hiking, traveling, and exploring creative and artistic pursuits.