Nara Lee to expand National Honor Societies’ efforts to connect students with postsecondary opportunities

Reston, VA – The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) selected Nara Lee, a highly regarded advocate for college readiness and access, as the new Director of Honor Societies.

Lee’s 15 years in the K–12 and higher education space includes leadership positions at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth and District of Columbia Public Schools, as well as nearly 7 years at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation where she oversaw the selection committee processes for some of the most competitive and largest scholarships in the country. She most recently served as director of member engagement for the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success, where she supported the members and board of directors in their initiatives to admit a diverse body of students.

Lee will oversee the programming for NASSP’s National Honor Society (NHS), National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), and National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS). This includes directing the Honor Societies’ recent robust and multifaceted initiative to ensure the college and career readiness of its members; the NHS Scholarship, which will award $1.5 million to NHS’ top 500 members in 2018; and the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award, which provides a $500 college savings award to NJHS’ top 500 members.

Lee’s selection also coincides with the launch of the new Get #Futuready campaign, whichassists NHS and NJHS students in honing the noncognitive or “soft” skills key to college, career, and lifetime success.

“The Honor Societies provide a ready-made structure to help students fulfill their greatest potential,” stated Lee. “As someone passionate about educational equity and connecting students with postsecondary opportunities, I am excited to work on programming that empowers youths to take charge of their learning and have a voice in a building the future they will eventually lead.”

“Nara’s leadership experience and commitment to equity will be valuable in creating Honor Society programming that works to empower all students,” remarked NASSP Executive Director, JoAnn Bartoletti. “We look forward to seeing her contribution to the legacy of the Honor Societies.”

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.