Jury Segers has so many credentials from Arcadia’s School of Education, it’s a wonder she remembers them all. There’s the Doctor of Education and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility expected in 2024, the Master’s in Education earned in 2010, the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education Certification, Principal Certification, ESL Program Specialist Certification, and Supervisor of Special Education Certification.

So what brought Segers, the principal of Imhotep Institute Charter High School, to Arcadia? And what kept her coming back?

“While working as a teacher at Community Education Partners, a partnership with the alternative school was formed with Arcadia University where professors would come to the school and teach graduate classes,” said Segers. “I knew I wanted to have a more diverse group of learners in the classroom with me so I visited the campus and felt at home. I loved how the professors challenged me academically. Their passion for teaching coupled with their experiences resonated with me. They would also share resources that could help me grow as an educator and were open to me reaching back out for career advice. As a woman of color, I have always felt seen, valued, and heard by Arcadia’s professors. Over the years I have actually referred many educators to Arcadia for various programs.”

Segers adds that continuing her education at Arcadia is what afforded her the opportunity to move up the ranks at Imhotep Charter, where she started working 15 years ago as a special education teacher, then became director of special education and assistant principal before landing the principal position.

So what’s next for Segers, who somehow finds time for reading, writing, and listening to music? “I want to play a larger role in mentoring new administrators so they are attuned to advocating for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.”