Applications open for principal and district fellowships. Click here for more info.

Webinar on January 30 @ 7:00 pm EST: Learn More About the WOCEC’s Principal Fellowship

This five-month program identifies a cohort of school principals and provides them with executive coaching and professional development. The program aims to foster further leadership skills, develop a robust network of women leaders, and empower this new group to lead and innovate. Professional development and coaching will focus on self-care, district and board relations, budgeting and resource allocation, conflict management, and communications. This program has four virtual meetings and one face-to-face one, and the cost for it is $799.

Learn more from WOCEC coaches – see our great team above – and principal fellows. Click here to sign up!

WOCEC Celebrates the Graduation of its National Principal Fellows

We are excited to announce the successful completion and graduation of the WOCEC National Principal Fellows—a transformative initiative aimed at closing the diversity gap in educational leadership. The National Principal Fellowship Program was specifically designed to empower and elevate women leaders of color who are interested in pursuing district-level roles in the future.

At WOCEC, we believe that diverse perspectives enrich our educational systems and foster innovation. Through our fellowship, participants gained access to invaluable connections, resources, competency-building opportunities, and an executive leadership coach who served as a thought partner throughout their journey. WOCEC is not just preparing women of color for district-level leadership roles; we are positioning them as catalysts for change in their communities.

The inaugural session of the program was nothing short of inspiring! Fellows stepped into a vibrant community that serves as the foundation of our initiative. They engaged with executive coaches, forged meaningful connections with one another, and embarked on a transformative journey of reflection, self-care, and networking. This immersive experience not only enriches the personal and professional lives of the participants but also strengthens the overall ecosystem of our educational system.

Participants shared their reflections:

  • Ebony Lattimer, Principal, Lawrence Township Public Schools, NJ. “Participating in the WOCEC has been an incredibly enriching experience, providing me with invaluable insights and resources that have significantly enhanced my leadership skills for my current role, as well as expanded my confidence in my future aspirations of being a district leader. Having access to the wisdom, expertise, and experiences of women of color that have successfully navigated these waters provided a safe place to learn, grow, and laugh.”
  • Ronae Smith, Principal, Prince George’s County Public Schools, MD. “The National Principal Fellowship has been a transformative experience in my leadership journey. It has provided me with a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of what it means to lead with intentionality and equity while fostering a culture of collaboration within my school. Being part of this program has given me the space to reflect on my leadership practices, connect with other like-minded professionals, and sharpen my skills to better serve my students, staff, and community. The mentorship and coaching I received empowered me to navigate challenges with clarity and purpose, ensuring that my decisions are always student-centered and aligned with my vision for excellence in education. The leaders of the WOCEC have challenged my thinking and sharpened my expertise, which has given strength to my voice and vision as a woman of color.”

By nurturing these remarkable women leaders of color, WOCEC is directly supporting schools, districts, and our economy. This program establishes a sustainable model for districts and organizations to build strong talent pipelines that cultivate diverse leadership. It’s a win-win for everyone involved—while these emerging leaders thrive, schools and organizations benefit from innovative perspectives and strategies that drive progress and success. President and co-founder Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett shared, “Together, we’re not just shaping individual futures; we’re building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.”

Our efforts are fostering a robust network of well-prepared women of color leaders, poised to bring innovation and excellence to educational systems. We are confident that the continued support of this fellowship will not only contribute to the professional growth of its participants but also have a lasting positive impact on the students and communities they serve.

Join us in celebrating this accomplished cohort of graduates!

WOCEC Executive Coach, Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Named Inaugural Director of New Center at Morgan State University

Morgan State University’s School of Education and Urban Studies (SEUS) has appointed renowned educational leader Meria Carstarphen, Ed.D., as the inaugural director of the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED). With more than 20 years of experience in education leadership and a proven track record of effectively managing public educational institutions, Dr.Carstarphen will lead Morgan’s center dedicated to addressing the needs of preschool and school-age populations in Maryland and across the United States through impactful research and the creation of innovative practices that foster achievement, regardless of socio-economic status or geographic background, and equity.

“I am honored to accept the role of director at NCEED and to become a part of the Morgan family. Leveraging my extensive executive and research experience, I am eager to lead and partner with a talented team of experts in crafting innovative solutions to address obstacles that hinder students’ learning and achievement,” said Dr. Carstarphen. “Our primary objective is to research and solve long-standing inequities in education for our most vulnerable and disenfranchised student groups so that they can have choice-filled lives.”

According to Dr. Carstarphen, the pandemic made existing disparities even more obvious. For example, children in low-income areas often didn’t have access to the technology required to make tele-education work. “The pandemic gave us a chance to start thinking about how we could do schooling differently—how we could utilize the rate of change in technology, how we could think about leadership and diversity, and these are things we want to explore with NCEED,” she said.

With $3.7 million in annual funding from the state of Maryland, beginning in July of 2024, NCEED is now building a faculty and staff who will take steps to eliminate educational disparities.

“We—and I’m a person of color—have been part of an educational system that was never designed for us,” says Dr. Carstarphen. “We have been trying to fit into a design and a system that has systematically rejected the idea of doing a high-quality job for Black, Brown, poor, and special-needs children.” Inspired by Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and advocate for racial equality, Dr. Carstarphen says the country needs a full rethink of how we teach children—an educational reconstruction centered around the systemic issues underlying these disparities.

The NCEED will also play a role in preparing educators for the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a set of policies and dedicated funding that is intended to transform Maryland’s early childhood, elementary, and secondary education system to the levels of high–performing systems around the world.

Applications for 2025-26 National Principal Fellowships Are Open!

The goal of the WOCEC is to create a diverse and thriving professional network of women leaders by providing leadership development programs to enhance executive skills, build robust connections among members, and provide self-care and wellness strategies while serving in demanding positions.

Our tailored program enhances the knowledge and expertise that fellows have to navigate complex leadership challenges and drive impactful results.

Applications are now open for the Principal Fellowship, a five-month program for school principals who are preparing for district/CMO leadership roles. Key development areas include self-care, district/CMO and board relations, budgeting and resource allocation, conflict management, and communication skills. The program includes four virtual sessions and one in-person meeting. Fellows also receive one hour of executive coaching each month and a WOCEC health and wellness coach who will guide fellows on strategies for self-care, promoting a balanced approach to the demanding responsibilities of school, district, and CMO leadership.

Click here to apply.