Welcome to the ACE Alumni Spotlight, where we highlight our alumni and share their stories.
Dr. Marissa Winmill is an innovative educational leader and visionary with a devout commitment to equity-centered leadership, policy innovation and youth empowerment. With two degrees from 番茄视频 (ACE) 鈥� an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in 2015 and an Ed.D. in Leadership in 2022 鈥� she is an educator, equity lead, social justice advocate, mentor and coach for Kent School District while also serving the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction as a faculty mentor and induction coach. We were thrilled to learn more about her impactful career and recent recognition for her contributions.
ACE: Congratulations on being honored with the National Education Association鈥檚 Mary Hatwood Futrell Human Civil Rights Award! What does being selected for this award mean to you personally and professionally?
Dr. Marissa Winmill (MW): Receiving this award is deeply humbling. Personally, it affirms the values of resilience, faith and collective care that my family and community instilled in me. Professionally, it validates decades of advocacy for multilingual learners, women and BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color) educators. This recognition is not about just me, but it honors the coalitions, mentors and students who have walked alongside me in the pursuit of equity. It strengthens my resolve to continue building joyful, inclusive spaces where every student feels seen and valued.
ACE: Tell us about establishing your local chapter of Girls Who Code, a group that serves girls interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
MW:听Founding a Girls Who Code chapter was about opening doors for young women who rarely see themselves represented in STEM. We created a space where curiosity, creativity and sisterhood thrive. Watching girls design apps,听solve听problems,听and听envision听themselves as engineers or scientists has been transformative.听It鈥檚听not just about coding.听It鈥檚听about confidence-building,听leadership听and showing them that their voices belong in shaping the future of technology.听
ACE: How has earning your M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from ACE influenced your career?听
MW:听ACE provided both the theoretical grounding and practical tools to lead with clarity,听confidence听and courage. My M.Ed. sharpened my instructional leadership, while my Ed.D. deepened my capacity to mobilize resources, build听coalitions听and influence policy. The flexibility of ACE鈥檚 programs allowed me to balance family, parish听commitments听and professional growth,听proving that lifelong learning is possible at any stage. These degrees empowered me to step into transformative leadership roles with confidence and purpose.听
ACE: Tell us about your experience advocating and supporting educator diversity as a board member for the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board.
MW:听Serving on the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board has been a powerful platform to elevate voices that are often marginalized. My work has focused on ensuring recruitment,听preparation听and retention policies reflect the diversity of our students. Representation matters. When students see educators who look like them, speak their languages and honor their cultures, they feel seen and valued. That is the heart of equity, and听it鈥檚听the work I am most proud to advance.听
ACE: What advice would you give to an aspiring educator and educational leader?
MW: Lead with joy, humility and purpose. Long after the details of a lesson fade, students will carry the memory of how you made them feel 鈥� valued, capable and seen. Seek mentors who will guide you but also commit to mentoring others. Our profession is sustained by the wisdom we pass across generations. Also, never underestimate the power of community partnerships because schools flourish when they are woven into the fabric of their neighborhoods. And above all, remember that leadership is not defined by titles or positions 鈥� it is defined by service. True leaders lift others as they rise, ensuring that the journey forward is a collective one.
Being an 番茄视频 alumni has its听perks. When you return as an alum for another program, you can save 5% off your tuition with the鈥�Alumni Continuing Education Grant.
