Howard A. Liebman

A visionary in the field of innovative online education, Dr. Howard A. Liebman is a nationally recognized educator and entrepreneur with experience founding and leading successful public and private education-related enterprises.

Dr. Liebman’s passion for education was first ignited as a math teacher in urban public middle and high schools, where he learned how to think outside the box in order to help students succeed. He went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical social work, during which time he delved into the social and psychological issues—termed “educational trauma”—facing many learners today.

Dr. Liebman joined the Sagemont School, a PK3–12 college-preparatory, private school serving as assistant principal and then principal. It was here that he introduced the nation’s first wireless laptop program into a school environment.

In 2004, he co-founded the University of Miami Online High School, and as CEO facilitated the rapid growth of the company. Under his leadership, the University of Miami Online High School, along with the Virtual Sage curriculum publishing company, was acquired by the Washington Post Companies.

In 2009, Dr. Liebman founded Smart Horizons Career Online Education, the world’s first AdvancEd/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited, private online school district, which offers high school diplomas and career certificate programs for adults and older youth. He started the district with the belief that at least 75 percent of the nation’s 45 million high school dropouts were capable of obtaining a high school diploma. Under his leadership, the district has launched many innovative high school programs and forged groundbreaking partnerships with major corporations, public libraries, state departments of corrections, workforce boards, and non-profit organizations.