Brookline, MA (June 20, 2023) — Steps to Success, Inc., a non-profit organization promoting educational equity in Brookline, is excited to announce that Nia Jacobs has been named Executive Director. Steps to Success, Inc. works with students from low-income families in Brookline by supporting their educational journey to maximize life choices.

 

Jacobs brings more than 20 years of experience working in education. Her most recent position was Director of Equity, Belonging and Community Life at Charles River School (CRS), and prior to that, she was an Academic Dean at Dana Hall. Through her work in independent schools, Jacobs has been passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people.  As an experienced leader with a track record of success in school operations management and equity-based initiatives, her experience will be crucial in maintaining the quality of STS’s current programming while also exploring opportunities for program expansion, increasing fundraising capacity, and enhancing STS’s reputation as a model program and leader in educational equity.

 

“We are so excited to welcome Nia to Steps,” said Rachel Goodman, Board Chair of Steps to Success, Inc. “In addition, with her wealth of experience and enthusiasm for our work, I believe that Nia is an excellent choice for our future program expansion. I am also looking forward to introducing her to the Brookline Community.”

 

At Charles River School (CRS), Jacobs was responsible for the planning and implementation of the school’s equity and inclusion initiatives across all areas of the school and evaluating program outcomes. As Academic Dean of the Dana Hall School, she developed and reviewed the curriculum for grades 5–12 as well as the School’s academic policies.

 

“After a long career in schools, I am excited for the ability this role will give me to expand my reach to a greater number of students and families. STS’s commitment to educational equity and supporting the bright futures of talented Brookline students is near and dear to my heart, and I am honored to continue the organization’s great work and help lead it into the future," said Jacobs.

 

During her career in education, Jacobs has also served as a Teacher Mentor for the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she guided mentees through their first experiences with lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment design. Prior to that, she taught U.S. History at both Buckingham Browne and Nichols School (BB&N) and Beaver Country Day School.

 

Jacobs earned an M.Ed. in School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Columbia University. She has served as a trustee for Boston Renaissance Charter Public School and was awarded Teacher of the Year at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School and The Peter Gow III Award for Excellence in Teaching at Beaver Country Day School.

 

Jacobs will assume her responsibilities as Executive Director of Steps to Success, Inc. on July 10, 2023. 

 

Steps to Success Inc. (STS) promotes equity for students from low-income families in Brookline by expanding their horizons, building on their skills, and supporting their educational journey to maximize life choices. By focusing on closing the opportunity gap for students in Brookline from 3rd grade through college graduation, STS prepares an average of 300 students annually to succeed through after-school and summer enrichment, career readiness, and college preparation and persistence programs. For more information, visit our website.

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