Dr. Clarisse Mendoza Davis, ’08, runs toward the students that everyone else runs away from.

For longer than a quarter of a century, the Maya Angelou Schools in Washington, DC, have been fulfilling their mission that is closely aligned with the School of Education's: teaching those most in need. They have served more than 5,000 students in low-income urban areas, specifically those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, with more than 800 high school and GED graduates. Most notably, three school locations are physically housed inside juvenile detention centers preparing incarcerated young people for graduation and careers. In addition, there is the Maya Angelou Public Charter School, a high school in Northeast DC, and the Young Adult Learning Center for people ages 17 and up. See their 25th anniversary documentary here.

CEO Dr. Clarisse Mendoza Davis, MA '08, began her career with Maya as the Chief of Schools ensuring that principals had the necessary support to lead students to great academic and non-academic outcomes. She served "on the front line" as an interim principal at one campus, a pivotal time for her to work side-by-side with colleagues where she learned how to help clear obstacles, provide resources, and be proactive in the broader DC area for youth and their families.

The School of Education interviewed now-CEO Mendoza Davis about the amazing work her organization does.