Professional News

UK Alumna and Associate General Counsel Appointed to FCPS Superintendent Search Committee

Thalethia Routt headshot wearing black jacket and white shirtr
Thalethia Routt currently serves as associate general counsel for the Finance and Administration Group within the university’s Office of Legal Counsel. Pete Comparoni | UK Photo.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2021) — University of Kentucky alumna and Associate General Counsel Thalethia Routt has been appointed to the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) superintendent search committee.

Routt plans to continue the district’s momentum in the realm of diversity, ensuring that every cross section of the community is considered during this process.

“One of my goals is to make sure I solicit input from all areas,” she said. “I want to make sure that there’s a voice for the children in every socioeconomic group, the magnet programs, various activities and those whose first language is something other than English.”

She was nominated to be the parent representative for the six-person search committee, having experience with a son and daughter in the school system. The committee also includes a teacher representative, a classified representative, principal representative and board member.

“I would love for every kid to be able to have the opportunities that my kids have and have had,” she shared. “I want to be able to provide a voice for the voiceless. Just because a parent doesn’t speak up, doesn’t mean they don’t care. They may not know how to speak up or they may not know that they can.”

Throughout the district’s transition to virtual learning this past year, Routt has observed firsthand the dedication and creativity of FCPS educators.

“Having my son home attending high school virtually, I can see and appreciate what these teachers go through every day,” Routt said. “There’s not enough good that I can say about these teachers. The good ones have risen even higher in the ranks and it’s amazing. This is new for everybody and they have been very engaging.” 

Routt recognizes the impact that educators have on their students, and the community as a whole.

“The teachers have been phenomenal, and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve. When you walk into the school doors, those teachers care about those kids as if they were their own and they make sure every kid is able to be their best,” she said.

A graduate of the UK College of Law, now the J. David Rosenberg College of Law, Routt has more than 20 years of legal experience in private practice and the public sector. During her time at UK as a law student, Routt was involved with Trial Advocacy Board, the Student Bar Association, and Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

She is eager to use the skills she acquired during law school, as well as her career experience, to use toward helping the community.

“My law school education at the University of Kentucky taught me how to always find a solution to a problem,” Routt said.

Routt currently serves as associate general counsel for the Finance and Administration Group within the university’s Office of Legal Counsel. She also serves on the university’s Equal Opportunity Committee.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.