Distinguished Associate — In Memoriam
United States Congresswoman · Michigan's 13th Congressional District
1997 – 2011 · Michigan State Legislature 1979 – 1996
In Her Honor
Caroline Education Community
International Public School Academy
Schools Established Nationwide
The Honorable Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick served with distinction as a United States Congresswoman representing Michigan's 13th Congressional District from 1997 to 2011, and as a Michigan State Legislator from 1979 to 1996 — a combined legislative career spanning more than three decades of dedicated public service to the people of Michigan and the nation.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Congresswoman Kilpatrick was a tireless advocate for education, economic empowerment, and civil rights. She served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she championed federal investments in urban communities, historically Black colleges and universities, and public education systems that served underrepresented populations across America.
Her legislative legacy is defined by an unwavering commitment to the communities she served — fighting for equitable access to quality education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity for Black Americans and all marginalized communities. She was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus's education task force and a consistent voice for HBCU funding and recognition at the federal level.
Congresswoman Kilpatrick was a graduate of Ferris State University and earned her Master of Science in Education from the University of Michigan — a credential that informed her lifelong passion for educational access and excellence. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and remained deeply connected to the civic and faith communities of Detroit throughout her life.
Her contributions to the advancement of Black education, her steadfast support of HBCU institutions, and her personal relationship with the mission of University St. Augustine's make her a natural and honored namesake for the Caroline Education Community International Public School Academy — a network of schools dedicated to the same principles of excellence, equity, and community that defined her remarkable career.
Congressional Service
U.S. House of Representatives Michigan's 13th District 1997 – 2011
State Legislative Service
Michigan State Legislature 1979 – 1996 17 Years of State Service
Education
B.S. — Ferris State University M.S. Education — University of Michigan
District
Detroit, Michigan 13th Congressional District Wayne County
Affiliations
Congressional Black Caucus House Appropriations Committee Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Legacy
Namesake — Caroline Education Community International PSA Schools Established Nationwide
Her Enduring Legacy in Education
Named as a tribute to The Honorable Late Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, the Caroline Education Community International Public School Academy (CECI PSA) carries forward her lifelong mission of educational excellence, equity, and community empowerment.
Caroline Education Community International PSA bears the Congresswoman's name as a permanent tribute to her decades of advocacy for quality public education, HBCU funding, and equitable access to academic excellence for Black children and families across America.
In honor of the Congresswoman's contributions to education and civil rights, CECI PSA schools are being established nationwide — extending her legacy from Detroit to communities across the United States, providing K–12 students with access to rigorous, culturally affirming academic programs.
Consistent with the Congresswoman's commitment to preparing the next generation for professional careers, CECI PSA schools offer STEAM-centered curricula (Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Athletics, and Mathematics), dual enrollment, and University College Preparatory Institutes for grades 8–12.
CECI PSA operates in academic alliance with University St. Augustine's and its consortium of Legacy Institutions, providing students with pathways to associate degrees, professional certifications, and baccalaureate programs at affiliated HBCUs and historically chartered universities.
Reflecting the Congresswoman's deep roots in Detroit's civic and faith communities, CECI PSA schools are strategically located within religious and civic organizations, private corporations, and community centers — bringing education directly into the neighborhoods that need it most.
Honoring the Congresswoman's global perspective and her work on international affairs, CECI PSA extends its reach internationally — with established affiliates in Haiti and ongoing expansion to serve diaspora communities and international partners committed to Black educational excellence.
“
Education is the great equalizer — the foundation upon which every child, regardless of race, background, or circumstance, can build a life of dignity, purpose, and achievement.
— In the Spirit of Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
A Record of Achievement
Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, beginning a 17-year career of state-level service focused on education, economic development, and civil rights for Detroit and Wayne County communities.
Elected to the United States House of Representatives representing Michigan's 13th Congressional District — one of the most diverse and historically significant districts in the nation, encompassing Detroit's core communities.
Appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she secured federal funding for urban infrastructure, HBCU institutions, public education systems, and community development programs across Michigan and the nation.
Served in leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus, championing legislation to expand HBCU funding, increase Pell Grant awards, and strengthen federal support for Title I schools serving predominantly Black and low-income student populations.
Led congressional efforts to increase federal investment in early childhood education, dual enrollment programs, and college preparatory academies — directly informing the model adopted by Caroline Education Community International PSA.
Concluded her congressional service having secured hundreds of millions in federal investments for Michigan's communities. Her legacy lives on through the Caroline Education Community International PSA schools established nationwide in her honor.
Congresswoman Kilpatrick's relationship with University St. Augustine's and its predecessor institutions reflects a shared commitment to the advancement of Black education in Michigan and beyond. Her advocacy for HBCU funding at the federal level directly supported the university's mission and its capacity to serve students across its nine professional colleges.
The decision to name Caroline Education Community International Public School Academy in her honor recognizes not only her legislative achievements but her personal investment in the communities that University St. Augustine's has served since its founding in 1846.
Through CECI PSA, her name and her mission will continue to inspire generations of students — from Detroit to communities nationwide — who will carry forward the legacy of excellence, equity, and service that defined her remarkable life.
32+
Years of Legislative Service
13th
Michigan's Congressional District
20+
CECI PSA Annexes Statewide
1846
University Founded — Her Legacy Continues
Learn more about the distinguished leaders and landmark records that define University St. Augustine's legacy.