A patterned background features repeated "Women's History Month" text in white, pink, and purple, with a larger bold black "Women's History Month" centered prominently in the foreground.

Celebrating Women in Leadership!

Happy Women’s History Month! At Student Leadership Network, we know that leadership is an important part of creating strong school environments. We’re proud to work with school principals at our partner schools throughout the country – including The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) in New York City, our CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) partner schools, and our affiliate schools throughout the country – who are leading in education.

Dr. Charcia Nichols

Executive Director at Ivy Prep Academy

Dr. Charcia Nichols has served as the Executive Director at Ivy Prep Academy, a Young Women’s Leadership Affiliate school in Atlanta, Georgia, for seven years. Dr. Nichols received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia, and her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum & Instruction from Argosy University Atlanta. She was a 2025 recipient of the Ann Tisch Inspire Award, an award given to leaders who exemplify qualities of vision, passion, intelligence, and perserverance in their commitment to the school they serve.

“To lead as a woman in education today—especially as leader at a school for girls means leading with vision, courage, and accountability in a way that expands what is possible for girls. It means modeling strength and strategy while holding fast to compassion and high expectations, ensuring that love and excellence coexist in our school community. It means using data to drive decisions, advocating fiercely for equity and access, and creating systems that prepare scholars not just for academic success, but for leadership in every space they enter. Ultimately, it means understanding that representation matters—our girls see what is possible through us—and committing daily to craft an environment where their brilliance is not only nurtured, but demanded and celebrated.”

-Dr. Nichols

Two women stand together at a podium with a city view behind them; one holds an award, highlighting their leadership. A Women’s History Month graphic is in the lower right corner.

Dr. Nichols poses with Sarah Boldin, Managing Director of Girls’+ Education, at the 2025 WholeGirl+ Education National Conference.

Stephania Goel

Principal at Robert F. Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology

Principal Goel has been leading Robert F. Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology, a CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) partner school, since 2013. She has over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a student teacher, classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and now Principal. Principal Goel has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Irvine, a Master’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Four people stand together in a hallway, smiling at the camera and celebrating leadership. A Womens History Month graphic is in the bottom right corner.

Principal Goel with a group of alumni of Robert F. Wagner.

“Leading as a woman in education today means leading with both courage and consciousness. It means embracing a leadership style that values collaboration without apologizing for decisiveness. At its core, leading as a woman in education means shaping systems with intention, lifting others as you rise, and ensuring that the next generation inherits institutions that are more equitable, inclusive, and visionary than the ones we entered.”

-Principal Goel

Tracy Cotter

Principal at East Community High School

Tracy Cotter is the Principal at East Community High School, an affiliate school of Student Leadership Network’s CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) program in Buffalo, New York. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Buffalo, a Master of Education (MEd) in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services from the University of Buffalo, and a Master of Education (MEd) in School Administration from Canisius University.

“Being a principal in a high school has been a career goal of mine for a long time. Working with students on a daily basis and ensuring their needs are met academically, emotionally, and socially is something I take great pride in. I often look around at principal meetings and realize that the majority of high school principals are male. It is so important for young women to see a female in leadership roles and to do my best to ensure they know that women are capable of anything and often make the best leaders! I hope I can inspire young women to find their passion and become leaders in their field. If I have done that, I have served my purpose.”

-Principal Cotter

Three people stand together and smile in a school hallway decorated with posters, highlighting leadership and unity. A Women’s History Month graphic appears in the lower right corner.

Principal Tracy Cotter with East Community High School students.

Dr. Liz Hicks

Principal & Founder of Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA)

Dr. Liz Hicks is the Principal and Founder of the Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) in Los Angeles, a Young Women’s Leadership affiliate school. The Class of 2020 was GALA’s first graduating class, with a 100% graduation rate and a 98% college going rate. Dr. Hicks completed her PhD in Educational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California.

Four people stand smiling in front of a Whole Girl Education conference banner, holding awards that celebrate leadership. A Women's History Month graphic is in the bottom right corner.

Dr. Liz Hicks (third from the left) with Yolonda Marshall, Justin Sorrells, and Laura Rebell Gross (left to right) at the 2024 WholeGirl+ Education National Conference.

Dr. Hicks received the Ann Tisch Inspire Award in recognition of her visionary leadership at Student Leadership Network’s 2024 WholeGirl+ Education National Conference.

Mayra Segura

Principal at Central Park East High School

Mayra Segura is the Principal at Central Park East High School, a CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) partner school. She has served as Principal at Central Park East since 2023, and served as Assistant Principal for 16 years before that. Principal Segura holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from New York University and a Master of Education & Administration from New York University.

  • A group of people, united by their leadership, pose for a photo outdoors on a sunny day, with campus buildings and bare trees visible in the background.
    East Community High School students tour a college campus with Director of College Counseling, Cori Monahan.
  • Two girls in orange Ivy Prep Academy uniforms hold hands and smile, showing leadership and friendship as they walk down a school hallway decorated with colorful artwork.
    Students from Ivy Prep academy pose in the school hallway.
  • A large group of people, mostly women, sit in rows of chairs in an auditorium, posing for a group photo. Many are wearing purple tops or jackets, showcasing unity and leadership within the community.
    Juniors at GALA participate in a college workshop.
  • Three women stand side by side smiling indoors, near a wall decorated with various school or team logos, showcasing their leadership and camaraderie.
    Principal Cotter with Director of College Counseling, Cori Monahan, in the school hallway.
  • A group of students in white graduation gowns and purple stoles, some smiling, stand on stage during a graduation ceremony, celebrating their achievements and leadership.
    GALA students graduate!
  • A group of people stands at the front of a lecture hall, demonstrating leadership as they face an audience seated at rows of desks. The academic setting features a whiteboard and podium.
    Robert F. Wagner students tour Queens College.
  • A group of children wearing feather headbands walk outdoors, showing leadership as one child proudly holds a Brazilian flag.
    Ivy Prep students participate in an outdoor parade activity.
  • Two students demonstrate leadership as they wear gloves, goggles, and lab coats to dissect a specimen in the classroom, referencing a diagram on the table.
    Ivy Prep students conduct a science experiment!
  • An adult and a child share a joyful hug in a brightly decorated room, where the green bulletin board highlights student leadership and purple wall decorations add a lively backdrop.
    Dr. Nichols hugs a student at Ivy Prep.
  • A person stands in front of a wall decorated with college pennants, holding Buffalo State and University at Buffalo pennants, smiling at the camera and proudly showcasing their leadership aspirations.
    A student at East Community High School is accepted into colleges!
  • A group of students walk down a school hallway holding a large banner that reads Congratulations Class of 2023, showcasing their leadership as they display signatures and two school logos with pride.
    Students at Robert F. Wagner participate in a hallway parade for College Decision Day.
  • Four women stand together in a school hallway, showcasing their leadership as they pose for a group photo in front of bulletin boards and closed doors.
    Principal Cotter with students in the hallway.
  • Three women, showcasing leadership, stand together in a cafeteria, smiling at the camera. Two wear plaid shirts, and one wears a black patterned top. Tables and windows can be seen in the background.
    Principal Goel with the PA President and Parent Coordinator at Robert F. Wagner High School.
  • An adult and a child wearing school uniforms pose for a photo together indoors; displaying leadership, the smiling adult holds a clipboard while hugging the child.
    Dr. Nichols with a student at Ivy Prep.
  • A group of people wearing matching purple I AM COLLEGE BOUND T-shirts showcase their leadership as they smile and wave at the camera outdoors.
    Dr. Hicks with a group of GALA students!
  • A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a black and white patterned top, sits at an office desk with a phone, printer, and a banana in the background, embodying quiet leadership in her professional workspace.
    Stephania Goel, Principal of Robert F. Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology.

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