Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Maria Errico.
April 24, 2026
The University of Delaware College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)’s School Success Center (SSC) hosted the eighth annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference on UD’s Newark campus. On March 25, 2026, the SSC welcomed more than 350 Delaware educators to Clayton Hall Conference Center for an engaging and inspiring day of professional learning.
The Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is a networking and professional learning event for teachers and administrators in elementary, secondary and higher education settings. The event addresses issues specific to women and education leadership and provides a powerful opportunity for current and aspiring leaders to convene for a day of connection, reflection and inspiration. The conference aligns with CEHD’s commitment to strengthening the education workforce, supporting educational leaders throughout their careers and helping Delaware schools address the regional school leader shortages.
“This event represents an important opportunity for all educators to come together around both the opportunities and the persistent barriers for women in pre-K–12 and higher education leadership,” said Alison Travers, assistant director of the Delaware Academy for School Leadership in the SSC. “More than 350 educators invested in one another, as well as in their own professional learning and personal well-being through their participation. We’re fortunate to host such a powerful experience right here on campus, one that elevates and amplifies the voices of women in education leadership.”
The theme of this year’s event was “EdPowering: Elevating Voices for Collective Belonging,” and the keynote speaker, sponsored by the Educator Excellence Workgroup in the Delaware Department of Education, was Julia Korn, founder of the Women’s Leadership Accelerator.
As founder of the Women’s Leadership Accelerator, Korn leads a community dedicated to the growth of female leaders and has dedicated her career to professional coaching. In her keynote address, titled “Get Ahead without Burning Out: How to Skyrocket Your Career through Human Impact,” Korn shared strategies that participants could take to advance their careers in meaningful ways without jeopardizing their well-being.
The event also featured remarks from CEHD Interim Dean Rena Hallam and Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. National and local leaders also facilitated whole-group and breakout sessions on topics like amplifying voices that often go unheard, strengthening partnerships and communities and deepening a collective sense of belonging in pre-K-12 schools and districts.
New this year, conference participants also enjoyed two performances by Cab Calloway School of the Arts students, including the school’s gospel choir and the cast of its current musical, “Once Upon a One More Time.”
“When we planned the conference, we wanted to elevate student voices in alignment with our theme,” Travers said. “All of the student performers were very talented. They truly touched educators with their moving performances, and I was so grateful to be able to feature student voices and highlight the impact of Delaware arts education.”
CEHD’s Center for Disabilities Studies, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood and SSC also shared information and ongoing projects with participants.
Nathalie Princilus, supervisor of grants and unique programs in the Christina School District and a CEHD alum, was proud to present a session on the relationship between cultural experiences and building student relationships with colleagues Rochellda Adderley, Jennifer Cohen, Glennine DeBeary, Nicole Figueroa, Jessica Liu and Leslee Love. Princillus was instrumental in ensuring that over 50 educators from her district registered for the conference and were able to attend.
“Attending the Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is always a highlight of the school year, and this year’s theme and intentional design were especially meaningful in affirming both my professional and personal goals,” Princilus said. “Every detail, from the thoughtful location to the rich opportunities to learn from one another and the inclusion of student performances, reflected a deep commitment to the conference’s purpose. It remains an important space for affirmation, connection and encouragement to continue leading boldly in service of our students.”
Hosted annually in March, the Women Leading Delaware Education aligns with national Women’s History Month. The conference complemented many other events on UD’s campus, including a Women History Month dinner with prominent women leaders in Delaware, book giveaways, workshops and more.
More than 350 Delaware educators attended the conference at Clayton Hall Conference Center.