Women in Educational Leadership Symposium

Advisory Board

Dr. Precious Guramatunhu-Mudiwa WIELS Executive Director Dr. Precious Guramatunhu-Mudiwa is a Professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies at Appalachian State University and the Director of the Women in Educational Leadership Symposium (WIELS). Her mission is to advance women’s leadership potential with the hope of reducing the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. Dr. Guramatunhu-Mudiwa states: "Born and raised in Zimbabwe, a developing country, and now living and working in a developed one, I still see underrepresentation of women in leadership positions as a common problem that continues to be pervasive. As an educator, I believe learning empowers people, and, therefore, creating learning platforms and opportunities is important to advance women’s leadership potential. Such forums not only prepare women to assume and exercise leadership, but also increase the pool that potentially addresses the underrepresentation. I passionately believe that communities and society benefit when women have access to resources that enable them to participate meaningfully in the corridors of power. Nations that do not invest in women’s education diminish economic growth and prosperity. I do not have all the answers; however, I believe in a community of women who can learn and grow together through sharing knowledge, skills, career experiences, and stories."
Dr. Nakesha Dawson WIELS Associate Director Dr. Nakesha Merritt Dawson brings over two decades of unwavering dedication to education, grounded in extensive experience and deep roots in Career and Technical Education (CTE). She holds a B.A. in Economics from Wake Forest University, an M.Ed. in Education from North Carolina State University, an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, and a Doctorate from Appalachian State University. Entering the profession as a lateral-entry teacher, she quickly embraced a lifelong commitment to teaching, learning, and advancing student success. Dr. Dawson’s career spans multiple roles across the CTE landscape. She began as a National Board-Certified business and marketing educator (6–12), developing a reputation for innovative instruction and unwavering student advocacy. Today, she serves as an Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University, where she continues to champion the mission and vision of CTE by preparing, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of educators. Her research centers on investing in future educators and examining how teacher development influences student outcomes. Grounded in the belief that educator efficacy is a cornerstone of student success, Dr. Dawson’s scholarly work underscores her conviction that investing in teachers is, fundamentally, an investment in the future. Residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Dawson enjoys traveling and spending meaningful time with her family. She believes that education is a collaborative and enduring endeavor and proudly stands as a lifelong teammate to all in the educational arena.
Dr. Candice Peters WIELS Associate Director Candice Peters, Ph.D., born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs at Appalachian State University. Drawing on Black feminist theories and critical qualitative approaches, including arts-informed methodologies, Dr. Peters examines interethnic dynamics among Black peoples, the lived realities of Black women professionals and academics, and the spiritual wisdoms of the Black diaspora. Her scholarship is deeply interdisciplinary and attends to the ways power, race, gender, and spirituality converge within institutional contexts. Dr. Peters’ current qualitative projects include an examination of niceness culture and its effects on Black administrators in the academy, an exploration of joy among Black collegians, and an inquiry into the utility of Black women’s spiritual knowledges within higher education. Collectively, this body of work foregrounds the nuanced strategies, realities, and outcomes of racially and ethnically minoritized communities, while expanding and complicating dominant scholarly narratives about academic life and labor. In harmony with her research agenda, criticality also undergirds Dr. Peters’ teaching and service, enabling intentional flow and cohesion across her professional commitments. Dr. Peters earned her Ph.D. in Education, with a concentration in urban and diverse learning environments, from Rowan University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Adelphi University and a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Georgia. During her doctoral studies, she was recognized with the 2022 Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the PAN Achievement Awards, ACPA.
Leslie Atcher Alexander, Ed.D. Dr. Leslie Alexander serves as the Superintendent of Watauga County Schools. Previously, she served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools as Chief Human Resource Officer, Area Superintendent of Leadership Development, and as a principal at R. J. Reynolds High School and J. F. Kennedy High School. In addition, she has served as a literacy specialist and teacher. She has been instrumental in restructuring curriculum priorities, implementing innovative programs, building community relations, and ensuring academic excellence. Dr. Alexander is respected for her firm, fair, and consistent approach to leadership. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Alexander—“Excellent instruction in every class...every day for EVERY student!"— many have experienced proven results. Through her focus on excellent instruction, she has moved two high schools from the category of failing to meet student growth goals to exceeding expected growth. Leslie has mentored and coached professionals who have gone on to successfully lead inside and outside of the district. She has co-published “The Power of Three.” She has also presented at professional meetings on such topics as “Lord of the Rings: The Journey from Data Overload to Enlightenment,” “Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA): Simulation for a Whole School Process,” and "Seeing Like a District: Critical Cases in Measurement, Management, and Resistance.” Dr. Alexander’s research interests involve feminist issues that affect women who serve as leaders in educational administration. Her professional memberships include the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA). She has been recognized for her accomplishments: The Signature School Award-2015 and 2017, WS/FCS District Principal of the Year-2017, Magnet School Principal of the Year-2016, and Winston-Salem Outstanding Women Leaders Award-2018.
Reave Bostwick Revae Bostwick is a results-driven school leader with over 2 decades of experience in K-12 education, specializing in Multilingual Learner (ML) support, teacher supervision, and curriculum leadership. She has proven expertise in managing district-level programs, supervising instructional teams, and analyzing student data for both face-to-face ESL programs (Newton-Conover City Schools) and online Japanese programs (North Carolina Virtual Public Schools). Bostwick is adept at leading professional development, fostering cross-cultural communication, and encouraging growth in all students. This commitment to continuous improvement in NC education has been demonstrated through her tenure as an Executive Board Member of Carolina TESOL and her previous service on the NCDPI-sponsored ELL Support Team. These experiences, coupled with her years of experience teaching ESL in mainly K-12 classrooms, have provided her with a wealth of background knowledge that guides her decisions in her current role as an Assistant Principal at Newton-Conover High School. She plans to use her background as a foundation for collaborating with others to fulfill the WIELS' mandate of equipping women with pragmatic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that prepare them for success as educational leaders.
Dr. Jewel Cherry Jewel started her career in higher education as an admissions counselor and part-time faculty member in business administration. Over her twenty-year tenure in community college and higher education, she progressed from her faculty position into various leadership positions – including department coordinator, Title III grant director, and dean of enrollment management. She currently serves as Vice President of the Student Services Division and Interim Vice President for Instruction and Chief Academic Officer at Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, NC. Jewel earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and MBA Degree, both from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. While working at Forsyth Tech, she earned an Education Specialist degree in Higher Education Administration and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. In addition to her professional career, Jewel is an active member of her church and community, serving on numerous boards and committees. Jewel has three adult children and currently resides with her husband in Clemmons, NC.
Dr. Kendall Hageman-Mays Kendall Hageman-Mays currently serves as the Director, EdTech Research & Development for Digital Promise Global. With more than 15 years of experience spanning education, workforce development, and organizational strategy, Kendall brings deep expertise in research, evaluation, and policy translation to her work, bringing together diverse educators, researchers, and product developers to co-design, implement, and advance more effective and equitable EdTech resources. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from NC Wesleyan University, an MBA from Pfeiffer University, and a Ph.D. from NC State University in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development Program, specializing in Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis. Based in Apex, Kendall enjoys life with her husband and two dogs—Macy Gray and London—and recharges by tending her garden, reading widely, and exploring new places through travel.
Dr. Trish Johnson Trish R. Johnson currently serves as Associate Superintendent-Human Resource Services for Caldwell County Schools. She has worked as a teacher, speech and language pathologist, assistant principal, and principal in several North Carolina School Districts. Trish holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Elizabeth City State University, a Master of Arts Degree in Speech Pathology from South Carolina State University, an Educational Specialist Degree from Appalachian State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University. She is active in her church and serves on several community boards, and is an active member of several civic organizations. I have an untiring passion for social justice issues. My strong belief in “and justice for ALL” requires me to be involved in causes that address social injustices, especially issues involving women, as well as the disenfranchisement of any non-majority population. Trish is married and the mother of two adult sons.
Wendy Kuhn Wendy Kuhn is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, HeartMath™ Mentor, ITIL Expert, and a Principal at Break Through Consulting, LLC. Ms. Kuhn has more than twenty years of experience as a strategic planning and implementation consultant and IT professional. She works with individuals to help them to achieve their goals and with organizations to help them to improve their results through integrating employee wellbeing into the fabric of their culture, recognizing that meetings, strategic planning, projects, and other organizational efforts are most effective when employees are engaged, energized, focused, and empowered.
Laura LaLonde Laura LaLonde is a skilled and results-oriented educational leader dedicated to collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve overall school performance. With over 15 years of teaching and leadership experience in the Iredell-Statesville Schools system, she has most recently served as a GEARUP Coach at Iredell-Statesville Schools, where she has managed a federal grant program focused on student success, family engagement, and implementation of a holistic approach for empowering students. Laura's expertise spans curriculum development, strategic planning, and building strong relationships with students and parents. As a former 8th Grade Science Teacher, she excelled at establishing a positive and inclusive learning environment, utilizing data-driven strategies to achieve high performance, and mentored colleagues. She holds a Graduate Certificate of School Leadership from Appalachian State University and a Master's of Arts in Secondary Science Education from Western Governors University, demonstrating a strong foundation in both classroom instruction and educational administration.
Dr. Lisa Mitchell Dr. Lisa N. Mitchell is the Interim Associate Dean in the School of Education and an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. As an educator, she is committed to supporting teacher candidates teaching in the graduate and undergraduate elementary education programs and supervising student interns. While teaching in the public schools for 14 years, she was also involved as a teacher leader and mentor in her school and district, and branched out beyond the classroom, seizing opportunities with instructional technology and professional development. Her scholarship, service, and professional development keep her actively involved in teacher induction and mentoring and supporting teacher development, and she is a 2018 recipient of the Bridges Academic Leadership for Women program out of the UNC Friday Center. While teaching, Lisa was recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher and the Teacher of the Year at Bessemer City Central Elementary School, recognized as an Educator of Excellence with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, participating in summer institutes in 2002 and 2007, and was immersed in Japanese culture and the educational system as a Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Participant. Joining UNCP in 2009, Dr. Mitchell continues to teach graduate and undergraduate courses. She has served as the Graduate Director for Elementary Education, developing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education and maintaining the Master of Arts in Education for Elementary Education, offered entirely online. She stays active on campus, including the 2017 State Employees Combined Campaign Chair at UNCP, and facilitates Faculty Marshals each semester for commencement. Her interest in service learning provides opportunities for innovation in teaching each semester, working with campus initiatives and student interests to increase student success through engagement in the content and creating opportunities for teacher candidates to build their professional knowledge and skills. Dr. Mitchell supports service learning and partnerships with local schools and, each semester, develops a Read-In to connect undergraduate teacher candidates with K-5 students, engaging in arts-integrated lessons related to multicultural children’s literature.
Dr. Margaret Sithole Margaret Sithole is an Assistant Professor of Business Management at SUNY Empire State College in New York State. Her educational experience includes more than 30 years serving in a variety of leadership positions at the university level, including positions as assistant academic registrar, director of international programs, and interim director of an undergraduate management program for working adults at SUNY Empire State College. In addition, she has about ten years of teaching experience in higher education at the undergraduate level. Her experience also includes public school teaching and administration at the secondary school level in Zimbabwe. Dr. Sithole’s primary research focus is on the theory and practice of leadership in organizations. Her current research focuses on leadership and culture, and more specifically on the relationship between national culture and leadership. She believes that leadership is as much an organizational phenomenon as it is a cultural phenomenon, and therefore that a leader or follower’s actions and responses are ultimately a reflection of the forms of behavior legitimized and deemed appropriate for the society in which the leader or follower lives. Dr. Sithole has a growing interest in research studies that investigate cross-cultural leadership behaviors and practices.
Dr. Brooksie B. Sturdivant Dr. Brooksie B. Sturdivant is a native of Walnut Cove, NC, who currently serves as the Equity Specialist for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of Guilford County Schools. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000. She also has a Master’s in School Administration (2006) and a Specialist of Education certificate (2009), and a Doctor of Education Degree from Appalachian State University. In addition, she has a Nonprofit Management Certificate (2010) from UNC Greensboro. Dr. Sturdivant's research interests include qualitative design, narrative inquiry, and autoethnography. She is passionate about subjectivity, identity, resilience, and agency among maltreated youth. She currently resides in Raleigh, NC, with her wonderful husband, Norlonn A. Sturdivant.
Nan Nichols Van Hoy Nan Nichols Van Hoy recently retired from public education, having held the position of teacher and administrator for over 32 years. A native of Wilkes County, NC, she attended Wilkes Community College before completing her education at Appalachian State University, earning a B.S., an M.A., and certification in Administration and Supervision. She taught at public schools in Davie and Catawba Counties, and served as an instructor for programs at Wilkes Community College, Appalachian State University, and Lenoir Rhyne University. She was a public school administrator for over fifteen years, serving at middle and high schools. During her tenure in public education, she received several local, regional, and state recognitions and traveled to various sites in the US, conducting professional development for educators at all levels.
Dr. Leslie Zenk Leslie Zenk is Assistant Provost in the Office of Academic Affairs and Associate Graduate Faculty in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Leslie has been a professional in higher education for over 15 years, including as Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Minnesota, Morris, and Assistant to the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In her current role as Assistant Provost, Leslie directs all aspects of academic policy and collaborates with faculty on policy and curriculum development and implementation. Leslie’s academic research focuses on leadership and decision-making and how institutional culture frames decisions. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Association of Research in Education (NCARE). Leslie earned a B.A. in Communication from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration (Higher Education) from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.