Dedicated to Student and Employee Success
Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) is the first accredited private, national online school district in the United States. We offer career-based online high school programs to serve the millions of adults and older youths who didn’t complete high school. Our programs are designed to prepare students to enter or advance in the workplace, and include a career certificate. Since launching in 2009, we have seen more than 19,000 students graduate.
To reengage people in the educational system as a pathway to career advancement and postsecondary education and training.
Universal access to accredited, online education that inspires and creates better opportunities and brighter futures. See our 2025 Strategic Goals.
We are: Responsive. Supportive. Innovative. Transparent. Committed. See our full list of core values.
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 cofounded 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 Virtual Sage curriculum publishing company, was acquired by the Washington Post Companies.
Wendy Kauffman joined Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) as the company’s first Chief Operating Officer in May of 2010. Prior to joining SCHOE, Ms. Kauffman gained operations and technological expertise in the field of secondary online education through her role as Director of Technology Products for Kaplan Virtual Education and as Director of Enrollment for the University of Miami Online High School. Ms. Kauffman is responsible for the district’s day-to-day operating activities, including enrollment management, client management, product definition, student life cycle process, student retention, and technology product management.
Teresa Salafrio joined SHCOE as Director of Academics and Principal of Schools in 2012, bringing a wealth of experience in both traditional and online school settings to these positions. She served as Principal for the University of Miami Global Academy, an online AdvancED/SACS-accredited college preparatory program, from 2009 to 2012. In 2005, she was also instrumental in growing the University of Miami Online High School and served as both teacher and principal for the school. Prior to working in the online environment, Salafrio taught Exceptional Student Education in both public and private schools. Salafrio is responsible for working with the Academic Team as well as ensuring student success through the development of a student engagement model.
Andra Spurlock began working for SHCOE in January 2010 as Director of Contracts. As the company grew, she was moved to the position of Vice President of Finance and Contracts due to her many years experience in both accounting and contracting positions. Ms. Spurlock oversees and provides legal, audit, budgeting, financial management, and accounting services in support of SHCOE’s mission and academic programs. Ms. Spurlock earned her Bachelor’s of Accounting degree from Cameron University and earned her Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University’s School of Business.
M.A. in Health Studies from the University of Alabama
B.S. in Physical Education from Ball State University
Teaching Certificates for the States of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Florida
Working in education since 2007
Throughout her career, Kelley Newman has worked with students in public schools, charter schools, and online schools ranging from kindergarten to high school. Prior to being promoted to Training Manager, Newman served as an Academic Coach, where she motivated students to pursue their goals and stay positive and focused throughout their journey.
Mr. Webley is the founder, majority stockholder and CEO of Advanced Systems Technology, Incorporated (AST), which is the parent company of Smart Horizons. Incorporated in 1984, AST is a privately held defense contracting company with its corporate offices located in Lawton, Oklahoma. AST’s 400+ employees are based in over 20 sites in 13 states. AST’s core businesses are systems and software engineering services in the development and maintenance of military combat effectiveness models and simulations, training devices, and simulators.
Prior to AST, Mr. Webley held several positions in TELOS Federal Systems from 1977 to 1983. His last two years with TELOS was as the Business Development Manager responsible for marketing major Life Cycle Software Engineering Center contracting efforts. Mr. Webley served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1977, and received a direct commission as a Field Artillery Officer while serving in the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam.
Mr. Webley earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Cameron University.
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 cofounded 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 Virtual Sage curriculum publishing company, was acquired by the Washington Post Companies.
Andra Spurlock began working for SHCOE in January 2010 as Director of Contracts. As the company grew, she was moved to the position of Vice President of Finance and Contracts due to her many years experience in both accounting and contracting positions. Ms. Spurlock oversees and provides legal, audit, budgeting, financial management, and accounting services in support of SHCOE’s mission and academic programs. Ms. Spurlock earned her Bachelor’s of Accounting degree from Cameron University and earned her Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University’s School of Business.
Donna has a Master’s degree in English and experience teaching postsecondary language and writing courses. She also worked for a software development company writing technical manuals and developing and presenting training for U.S. Army command and control systems. After that, she incorporated Eagle Systems and Services, Inc., a company specializing in logistics and training for the Department of Defense and other federal government agencies. Over 20 years, Eagle Systems grew into a $50 million company with over 800 employees. She sold Eagle Systems in 2010. Her experience was instrumental in establishing Darwin Global, LLC, in January 2012. Darwin Global brought together two divisions—NexPort Solutions and Smart Horizons—and a subsidiary, Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE). Donna is the Chief Operating Officer for Darwin Global and also manages the Human Resources function for the company.
Dr. Richard Goldman has held an array of leadership positions during his 46-year career in education as teacher, professor, dean, board chair, and founder of various innovative schools.
As Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Goldman provided leadership in developing various undergraduate and graduate distance education programs for the nation’s top superintendents and educational leaders. He was also instrumental in Nova Southeastern University obtaining accreditation as the nation’s first distance education program in the United States.
Dr. Goldman and his family have founded a series of innovative schools including Another Generation Preschools, the University of Miami Online High School (an online college-preparatory high school), Virtual Sage (an online curriculum publishing company), and The Sagemont School. Under his leadership in April 2007, the University of Miami Online High School and Virtual Sage were acquired by The Washington Post Company (Kaplan University). The Sagemont School, a college preparatory school for pre-k to grade 12 students located in Weston, Florida, is a leader in the delivery of education through a blended learning environment.
Dr. Goldman earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.