2025-26 Administrative Team Announcement

Dear Providence Families,

I am so excited to share some wonderful news with you regarding the upcoming school year! The Lord has been gracious to Providence, adding dedicated leaders to our organization. It is with great joy that I announce the following administrative changes for the 2025–2026 school year. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming these individuals into their new roles.

Administrative Team Announcement

Dr. Cary Brown – Middle School Principal
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Cary Brown as the new Middle School Principal at Providence. Dr. Brown has served faithfully on our administrative team for the past four years as Assistant Principal for grades 6–12. During that time, he has built strong relationships with students, families, and faculty, consistently demonstrating wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to our mission. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Doctorate in Christian Educational Leadership from Regent University. His leadership is rooted in servant leadership and a vision to build upon our strong foundation. Dr. Brown is married to Dr. Kellease Brown, and their twin sons attend Providence. The Browns are active members of Impact Church.

Dr. Joy Robertson – Lower School Assistant Principal (in addition to Director of Counseling)
We are also pleased to announce that Dr. Joy Robertson will be stepping into a dual role as Lower School Assistant Principal while continuing to serve as our Director of Counseling. Over the past three years, Dr. Robertson has been an invaluable part of our school, bringing impactful initiatives such as parent meetings and on-campus SAT testing for upperclassmen. Her leadership and deep care for the community have made a lasting impact. Dr. Robertson has seven children, one of whom is a Providence Alumnus, and two who are still students with us. Dr. Robertson and her family attend Eleven 22.

Dr. Blair Chambers – Assistant Principal of Curriculum
Joining us as the new Assistant Principal of Curriculum is Dr. Blair Chambers. She brings a wealth of experience, having served in the same role for four years at Atlantic Coast High School, in addition to four years as an instructional coach. Dr. Chambers has also worked as a reading coach and an ELA/Reading teacher. She holds a Juris Doctorate, a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a minor in General Education from the University of Florida. Dr. Chambers brings not only academic expertise but also a servant’s heart, living out Colossians 3:23 in her daily work. Her husband, Coach Jordan Chambers, teaches and coaches at Providence, and their son is a current student. The Chambers family attends Cedar Bay Baptist Church, where Jordan is the pastor.

Mrs. Lourdes Smith – Assistant Principal, Grades 6–12
Mrs. Lourdes Smith has accepted the role of Assistant Principal for grades 6–12. She brings over 14 years of experience as a Dean of Students in both public and private schools. For the past seven years, she has been a vital member of the Providence community, serving as Upper School Dean of Students. She holds a Master of Education from the University of Florida. Mrs. Smith has two children who are Providence Alumni and her family attends Beach Church.

Dr. Alicia Campbell – Dean of Women
With Mrs. Smith’s transition, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Alicia Campbell will be stepping into the role of Dean of Women. Dr. Campbell holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in higher education and has been teaching Spanish at Providence for the past four years. She currently leads the Foreign Language Department and the Student Ambassador Program—roles she will continue to hold. Dr. Campbell brings a proactive, grace-filled, and relationship-based approach to student life and discipline. Dr. Campbell has two children attending Providence and her family attends Our Lady Star of the Sea.

Dr. Chad Smith – Dean of Men
We are also excited to welcome Dr. Chad Smith as Dean of Men. Originally from Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Dr. Smith brings a rich background in both education and ministry. He holds a B.A. in English Literature, an M.A. in Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Education from Biola University. Dr. Smith has served in various pastoral roles and taught both in K–12 and higher education. He will continue teaching some classes at Providence this year. He is married to Betsy, also an educator, and their daughter Claire will be entering 9th grade this fall. His family are members of North Jax Baptist Church. Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience and a Christ-centered heart to our community.

Mrs. Rebecca Holcomb – Curriculum Advisor

We are excited to share that Mrs. Rebecca Holcomb will serve as a curriculum advisor for the 2025–2026 school year. She will work closely with Dr. Chambers to provide support and resources for the Providence faculty. Mrs. Holcomb has been a dedicated member of the Providence community since 2014, faithfully supporting our students and faculty. With over two decades of teaching experience across multiple grade levels since 2002, she brings a deep well of knowledge and insight to this new role. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from Michigan State University, with a concentration in curriculum and instruction, and will continue to teach 8th Grade Honors English while serving as a curriculum advisor. Mrs. Holcomb has two children who are Providence Alumni and her family attends Fort Caroline Baptist Church.

Coach Tom Cantrell – Athletic Director

Joining us as our new Athletic Director is Coach Tom Cantrell. He comes to us from Dacula, Georgia and just completed his 30th season as a Head Baseball Coach and his 26th at the University of North Georgia. In his final season, the University of North Georgia Baseball team won the regular season conference championship, and Coach Cantrell’s team earned a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament. Our coaches, players, parents, and community are so fortunate to have a leader like Tom Cantrell to join our school. He brings a wealth of athletic leadership with him, and he will do what he is great at, Loving God and Loving People. Coach Cantrell has one daughter and his first grandchild is on the way. His family will find their church home once settled in Jacksonville. We are also fortunate that while Coach Pompeo was desiring to retire, he has graciously agreed to stay on one more year as an athletic advisor to assist Coach Cantrell in learning about Providence.

Coach Mo Van Gils – Swim Director

We are also excited to announce our new Swim Director, Coach Mo Van Gils. Coach Mo has over 27 years of aquatic experience and will be heading up not only our swim team but the overall swim programs, including a year-round swim team as well as in-school swim opportunities. She has developed swimmers who have gone on to dominate World Championships, set World Records, won NCAA, and received swimming scholarships to the schools of their choice. Coach Mo has two children with one more on the way! Her family attends St. Paul’s Catholic Church. We are grateful to have Coach Dee Dee Tamburrino remaining as a middle school swim coach and assisting in the swim program.

Please join me in praising God for His continued faithfulness and in warmly welcoming these outstanding leaders to their new roles. We are excited for what God has in store for Providence in the 2025–2026 school year!

Sincerely,