Dr. Nicole Hood’s recent appointment as the 10th head of Abington Friends School marks a historic moment for the institution, writes Kyle Nguyen for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

As the first woman of color to lead the school since its founding in 1697, Hood brings nearly 20 years of experience in education administration. Her previous roles include director positions at the The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, and St. Catherine’s School in Virginia.

Hood, a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia, is stepping into this leadership role amidst the school’s ongoing strategic plan, which runs through 2027. She expressed a deep connection to the Quaker values at the core of Abington Friends and emphasized her commitment to fostering the intellectual and personal growth of students.

“Being in a school like this gives you the capacity to speak to, and prioritizes speaking to, not only the intellectual development of our students but to their development as human beings,” said Hood. “We want them to be people who value community, who are concerned with their own integrity, with peace, with the stewardship of the world’s resources and the resources that they have at their disposal.”

One of Hood’s primary goals is advancing the school’s Fourth Century Center, a key initiative that promotes Quaker values through research, experiential learning, diversity, equity, inclusion, and mental well-being. She also aims to provide “as many opportunities as possible for people to learn about all the wonderful work that happens at AFS.”

Read more about Dr. Nicole Hood and Abington Friends School in the Philadelphia Business Journal.