Alicia Stokley‘s journey as the Director of Summer Programs and Extended Partnerships is a culmination of diverse life experiences that have shaped her into the individual she is today. Growing up in a close-knit small town, she is fortunate to receive immense love and support from her community. Those formative years instilled in her a deep appreciation for meaningful connections with (add family) colleagues, parents, students, local government officials, and close family friends. Alicia has developed a passion for contributing to the betterment of her community from an early age, always striving to be an asset rather than a hindrance.
During her time at Elizabeth City State University, Alicia actively engaged in various clubs and organizations on campus and within the wider community, gathering valuable experiences and skills along the way. Working with VA-NC LSAMP and VESTEM allowed her to interact with prospective students and parents, honing her ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate the value of higher education. Recognizing her talent in this area, she was repeatedly invited back each summer and eventually offered a permanent position. In this grant-funded role focused on student admission and retention, Alicia conducted leadership trainings, workshops, tutoring programs, and seminars to enhance the overall student experience. Getting to know each student personally and remaining attentive to their progress became a cornerstone of her approach.
With a solid foundation and a passion for helping others, Alicia began her career at College of The Albemarle as an Admissions Coach shortly after graduating from (ECSU). This opportunity allowed her to leave a mark on the admissions process and shape the recruitment plan for the institution. After 18 months, she was promoted to the role of Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership, where she made a tangible impact in the Elizabeth City area. As the Coordinator, Alicia established relationships with stakeholders in the surrounding community and advocated for the needs of both students and the college. Additionally, she facilitated partnerships with non-profit organizations, enriching the local ecosystem and fostering collaborative initiatives.
In 2019, Alicia embarked on a new chapter in her professional journey at NCSSM as the Assistant Coordinator of Summer Student Engagement. Her focus was on student recruitment, enrollment, and marketing for NCSSM Summer Programs. This position allowed her to contribute to the growth and success of the institution by attracting exceptional students and promoting the value of their programs. As the current Director of Summer Programs and Extended Partnerships, she had been privileged to witness and actively contribute to the remarkable progress achieved since her initial involvement. This role had been exceptionally fulfilling, enabling Alicia to witness the transformative impact their programs had on students and the broader educational community.
Throughout each stage of her career, Alicia remained dedicated to her purpose of empowering and assisting others. Her experiences had shaped her into a passionate advocate for education, community engagement, and the holistic development of students.
Fostering Leadership Growth and Strategic Initiatives
Alicia’s career spans over nine years, where she hones her skills in program management and recruiting. Her expertise allows her to create and expand programs, catering to diverse students and fostering leadership growth in the workplace. With a keen focus on enhancing the customer experience, Alicia’s on-the-job experience equips her with a well-rounded skill set, including exceptional relationship building and time management abilities, both of which are vital for the position she holds.
Alicia possesses a unique ability to see the bigger picture of strategic initiatives while also excelling at detailed, meticulous work. This dual perspective is crucial for the success of her role. Like NCSSM, she shares a passion for prioritizing students’ needs, ensuring their growth and learning within a positive and inclusive environment that encourages problem-solving, inquiry, innovation, and collaboration.
About North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, stands as a source of pride for all North Carolinians. The founders’ vision to gather talented high school students on a residential campus where they could be both challenged and encouraged remains at the core of our institution. Decades later, our school community continues to thrive as a hub of innovation and inspiration. This is evident through the remarkable achievements of our students and their groundbreaking research, as well as the dedication of our faculty and staff in redefining how to educate and empower talented students in STEM fields.
Cultivating Empowered Teams
Alicia embraces a democratic/participative leadership style, which centers on actively involving my team members in the decision-making process while establishing clear parameters. By fostering a collaborative environment, she aims to cultivate trust and mutual respect among the individuals she works with. This approach ensures that team members feel engaged, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and expertise, ultimately leading to more robust and effective outcomes.
Approach to Leading in Higher Education
As a leader in higher education, Alicia faces challenges like evolving education, financial constraints, diverse student needs, technology integration, regulatory changes, and student retention. To tackle these challenges, Alicia believes in proactive leadership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By fostering an innovative culture, embracing change, and putting students and stakeholders’ needs first, she can navigate the higher education landscape successfully and achieve positive outcomes for her institution, faculty, staff, and students.
Prioritizing Well-Being and Empowering Others
Alicia leads by example, prioritizing work-life balance by setting boundaries with her job. She disconnects from work outside working hours to spend quality time with her family, friends, and focus on personal well-being. This allows her to return to work with renewed energy and dedication.
Alicia cares about her staff’s well-being too, regularly checking in on them to ensure they are taking enough rest and leisure time. She believes in self-care and enjoys rejuvenating activities like facials, massages, and exciting travel adventures. She also has enriching hobbies such as baking bread, weightlifting, and reading inspirational books.
Embarking on the Path of Impactful Leadership
Alicia offers the following advice to aspiring leaders seeking to make a substantial impact in their respective industries:
- Keep Learning: Stay updated on industry trends. Embrace a growth mindset.
- Collaborate: Build strong networks. Encourage teamwork and innovation.
- Lead with Empathy and Integrity: Understand others’ needs. Show empathy and be accountable.
- Embrace Innovation and Adaptability: Be agile and open to change.
- Communicate Effectively: Articulate your vision clearly. Value feedback.
- Build Diverse and Inclusive Teams: Encourage diversity and inclusivity.
- Be Resilient: Learn from failures and stay focused on goals.
Alicia emphasizes that leadership is a continuous journey of growth. She asserts, “Stay true to your values, remain passionate about your industry, and embrace the responsibility to make a positive impact. By doing so, you can inspire others and contribute to the advancement and transformation of your respective field.”
Empowering Future Innovators
Higher education is always changing, and Alicia wants summer programming to change with it. Her goal is to help teachers and students by giving them the tools they need to learn more about STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and grow as individuals. She believes that by nurturing their creativity and ambition, they can make a positive impact in their communities and promote STEAM programs worldwide. Alicia’s mission is to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone’s ideas are valued, and to make this happen, she needs support from the community and NCSSM. They will help the program adapt and improve continuously.
Right now, Alicia’s team is going through a big change. They are moving from “STEM” to “STEAM” in their course development to include more arts-related subjects. They also offer different types of programs like day-camps, residential programs, and online courses. They have noticed that there is a demand for year-round programming, so they are planning to meet this need starting in the upcoming fall season.
Website: https://www.ncssm.edu/
