Jessy Hulme Archer ’03 is always there to lend a helping hand to students at Nordonia High School— it’s no wonder she was awarded the 2024-25 Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Ohio.
After majoring in English and minoring in psychology at Allegheny College, Archer worked in sales and marketing in the Cleveland area. In 2007, she moved to Florida to teach 9th-grade English before returning to Ohio for her current position.
She says the professors at the College prepared her by challenging her to think critically and creatively.
“Being an associate principal, I often have to mediate conflict, and I still use the concepts I learned in Dr. Searle-White’s freshman seminar course on conflict resolution on a regular basis! I appreciate my psychology minor because understanding what motivates people is essential to working with them,” says Archer.
Now in her eighteenth year, Archer is the associate principal of Nordonia High School in Ohio, where she plans academic and extracurricular opportunities for students. She fosters student belonging by implementing a Student Leadership Plan and Student Recognition Program. Next year, she is excited to assume the role of principal in the same building.
“When students feel they belong, it changes the way they move through the world,” says Archer. “Both of these student-centered initiatives positively impacted our school culture and make our building a great place to be every day.”
She notes Allegheny College set the foundation for her to become the educator she is today.
“Besides an outstanding education, Allegheny gave me the best four-year college experience!” says Archer. “From a safe environment, to outstanding educational and social experiences, to being around the very best people, I’m so glad I chose Allegheny! Go, Gators!”
