Hello! I’m Jessica Rivas, and I’m honored to be joining Harrisburg Global Academy as your founding principal. I started as an elementary and middle school classroom teacher, and over the past 13 years, I’ve grown from the classroom into school leadership because I believe deeply that every child deserves someone in their corner fighting for their success.

Over the past seven years in school leadership, including five years as a principal and two years as an assistant principal, I’ve dedicated myself to building strong school cultures where students feel they belong, families feel like true partners, and teachers feel supported to do their best work. I’m passionate about using data not just as numbers on a page, but as a tool to make sure we’re reaching every student, especially those who need us most.

My educational journey began at UNC Charlotte, where I earned my degree in Child and Family Development. I went on to earn a Master’s degree in School Administration from Queens University, followed by an Educational Specialist degree from Appalachian State University. I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill, where my research focuses on how schools can recruit and retain outstanding teachers through innovative support strategies. This work is deeply personal to me because I believe the strength of any school comes down to the people inside it, and I am committed to building an exceptional team at Harrisburg Global Academy.

A few things you should know about me: I am bilingual in Spanish, which I’m especially excited to bring to a school that values world language instruction. I lead with relationships first. I believe people must feel seen, valued, and trusted before they can fully embrace a shared vision. I also believe that a school should be the heartbeat of its community.

On a personal note, I am married and a proud mother of three. My youngest is graduating high school this year and heading off to college in the fall, so I understand firsthand what it means to trust a school with the people you love most. That perspective shapes everything I do as a leader. I want every family at Harrisburg Global Academy to feel the same confidence and care that I’ve always wanted for my own children.

I can’t wait to meet our students, families, and staff and begin this exciting journey together.