ADMIN TEAM
Get to know Oak Hill Academy’s administrative team. These dedicated leaders serve in various capacities to support, advance and promote the mission of the school.
Meet Brit Smart
Executive Director
Brit Smart, M.Ed., has served as the executive director at Oak Hill Academy since 2018. Prior to his current role, he served as Oak Hill’s associate executive director and as a teacher – both at Oak Hill Academy and at the June Shelton School and Evaluation Center. Brit has a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and earned his master’s in education from Southern Methodist University. Brit’s passion for special education, trademark humor and compassion for others set a positive tone on campus. Brit and his wife Amanda have three children. He enjoys being outdoors, listening to music and spending time with his family.
Meet Nicole Gonzalez DeVoss
Asst. Director & Social Skills Coordinator
Nicole Gonzalez DeVoss, J.D., M.S., CCC-SLP, is Oak Hill Academy’s assistant director and social skills coordinator. After careers as an employment attorney and a speech pathologist, Nicole came to Oak Hill in 2014. Her experience has helped her play a pivotal role in enriching the school’s strategic direction and day-to-day operations, as well as empowering students with the interpersonal skills needed for success. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree and juris doctorate from Louisiana State University and a master’s in communications from University of Texas at Dallas. Her approachable demeanor and passion for education shine bright at Oak Hill. Nicole likes to read, hang out with her three teens and travel.
Karen Crance
Director of Therapy & Tutoring
Karen Crance, MS, CCC-SLP, is Oak Hill Academy’s director of therapy and tutoring. At the Therapy & Tutoring Clinic at Oak Hill, Karen provides speech language therapy, conducts assessments, schedules individual therapy and tutoring, and supervises graduate students studying communication disorders. Karen earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University and her master’s in communication disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. For more than 25 years, Karen has helped hundreds of Oak Hill students thrive with her clinical expertise, dedication and patient demeanor. Karen and her husband Gary have two adult children. She enjoys reading, Pilates and travel.
Jennifer Nimmo
Director of Advancement
Jennifer Nimmo loves sharing the mission of Oak Hill Academy with others. In her role as director of advancement, Jennifer serves in both a development and a marketing/communications capacity for the school. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University. In her most recent work experience, Jennifer served as the director of communications at Bishop Lynch High School in East Dallas for nearly five years. Jennifer and her husband Josh have two teenage sons, and she enjoys reading, Pilates and playing daily games from the New York Times.
Meet Lisa Partridge Registrar
Lisa Partridge and this campus location of Oak Hill Academy go hand in hand – they both started in 2002! Lisa currently serves Oak Hill as registrar and executive assistant to the head of school, but she has worn many hats during her tenure. Lisa has an associate’s degree in arts and sciences from North Lake College, and she previously worked in the psychology department at Southern Methodist University. Lisa’s dedication and commitment to excellence shine on campus, and she is a helpful resource for Oak Hill families. Lisa has two adult sons and a daughter-in-law, and she enjoys hiking, reading and volunteering.
Meet Kristin Schuck
Director of Business & Operations
Kristin Schuck, CPA, is Oak Hill Academy’s director of business and operations. Kristin has been at Oak Hill since 2021, and her keen business acumen and strategic mindset have positioned the school for growth. Kristin graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and she previously worked at The Covenant School as the director of finance for seven years. Kristin and her husband have three teenage children. She enjoys meeting her annual Goodreads Reading Challenge, cheering for the Fighting Irish and all things Taylor Swift.
Meet Linda Wachel Director of Admissions
Linda Wachel loves sharing the Oak Hill Academy mission with prospective families. As director of admissions, Linda helps new families find their child’s perfect learning environment on the Oak Hill campus. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and working in the oil and gas industry as a systems analyst and training coordinator, Linda has served in education since 2002. Linda joined Oak Hill in 2005 and brings a deep understanding of special needs education to her role while radiating warmth and welcome. Linda has two adult daughters, and loves to read and travel.
Meet Lee Fisher
Dir. of Digital Learning & Data Specialist
Lee Fisher, MS, LPA-I, is Oak Hill Academy’s resident technology expert. Lee graduated from Texas Christian University and previously worked in video production. Lee then went on to earn a master’s degree in human development and early childhood disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas, did her practicum at Oak Hill Academy in 2017, and later became a licensed psychological associate. Lee brings her breadth of knowledge and experience to the OHA campus as the champion for educational technology platforms, digital adaptive tools, student devices and digital curriculum, and as a teacher. Lee grew up in Oklahoma City and has a son in college and a daughter in high school.
Meet Joya Jacob
Head of High School
Joya Jacob, MS, CCC-SLP, is Oak Hill Academy’s head of the high school division. Joya has a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Texas Woman’s University and is a licensed speech-language pathologist. Joya has been a member of the Oak Hill team since 2001 and helped start OHA’s high school program in 2008. Joya is married to her husband Richard and their daughter Emily was in Oak Hill Academy’s first graduating class (Class of 2012). Joya loves her students and finds joy in helping them discover the many post-secondary options available as they transition into adulthood.
Meet Madison Alves
Head of Preschool
Madison Alves, MS, CCC-SLP, is the head of preschool at Oak Hill Academy. Madison earned a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Baylor University and a master’s in communication disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas. She joined the Oak Hill team in 2020. Madison is also a licensed Floortime Basic Practitioner, and she infuses the preschool division with her creativity, sunny disposition, and nurturing nature. Madison enjoys baking, getting coffee and going on walks with her husband.