Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) logo

Connected and Committed: Christine and Kevin Build Bridges in Perry County Schools

Picture of Kamryn Billiter

Kamryn Billiter

C2C Communications Intern

Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) thrive on relationships, leadership and heart—qualities Christine Cornwell and Kevin Smith bring to their roles every day in Perry County, Kentucky. As FSCS coordinators with Partners for Rural Impact (PRI), both are deeply rooted in their communities and committed to helping students and families thrive.

Christine Cornwell: Creating Space and Spark

Christine Cornwell serves as the FSCS coordinator at Roy G. Eversole Elementary in Hazard, Kentucky, where her work reflects her deep care for students and families. Originally from Malaysia, Christine moved to the U.S. for college and has made her home in eastern Kentucky. Her upbringing taught her to go the extra mile—and that’s exactly what she brings to her role.

Her professional background spans real estate, photography, bookkeeping and retail, all of which have shaped her creative, people-centered approach. “What I love most about living and working in this region is the people,” she shared. “Their excitement fuels my efforts—I can see the difference we’re making.”

At Roy G. Eversole, Christine organizes programs, coordinates resources, and leads school-wide events like the “Christmas Around the World” celebration. The event drew more than 100 families and offered a creative way to explore culture and literacy. “The response was overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “Almost every family gave it five stars and said they’d recommend it to others.”

 

Christine sees her role as a chance to build stronger communities through education and engagement. “PRI has opened doors,” she said, “and our students are walking through them with confidence.”

Her advice to others doing this work: “Be present. Be kind. And never underestimate the power of a personal invitation.”

Kevin Smith: Serving with Purpose and Compassion

Kevin Smith brings the same level of heart to his work at Viper Elementary. “I love helping people succeed and making sure every student has a chance to pursue what they want to do,” he said.

A native of Combs, Kentucky, Kevin is proud to serve the community he grew up in. After playing college baseball—and even trying out for the Philadelphia Phillies—he spent six years as a College and Career Navigator with GEAR UP before joining PRI as an FSCS coordinator.

At Viper, Kevin wears many hats: supporting student attendance, mentoring, coordinating services, managing grant funds and jumping in wherever needed. “Viper may be a small school,” he said, “but the relationships here are big. The school and community are very close.”

His Christian upbringing shapes how he shows compassion in his work. One moment that stands out: helping a student receive eye and dental care when their family couldn’t afford it.

“I arranged the trip, and now I’ve built a strong connection with that student and their family,” he said. “And he’s doing great in the classroom.”

Kevin describes the work as both challenging and incredibly rewarding. “PRI has taught me the importance of teamwork,” he said. “It’s all about building strong relationships with students, families and partners.”

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Leadership That Makes a Difference

Christine and Kevin embody the kind of place-based leadership that strengthens schools and communities. Their creativity, compassion and commitment demonstrate how FSCS coordinators can open doors—and help students walk confidently through them.