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Dr. LISA CENCA, Ed.L.D.
Harvard Graduate School of Education, Girls Education Trailblazer, Girls School Founder & Educational Consultant, Awarded Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Phyllis Strimling Award for the Advancement of Women. As a girls’ school founder and educator for over 20 years, Lisa is recognized as a girls’ education visionary. As a founding principal, Lisa spent a year researching best practices at the nation’s leading girls’ schools. She soon began creating the Leadership Model School Framework, a powerful new approach integrating leadership, and core values at the center of school life.
She was also recently nominated for Harvard’s Intellectual Contribution Award and presented with the Women Making a Difference Award by Zonta International. Additionally, she was selected as a fellow of Harvard's Presidential Public Service Fellowship, service the students and schools of Navijo Nation.
Lisa was selected by Harvard’s Venture Program, a prestigious recognition for “visionaries whose bold thinking shifts the paradigm and ideas that are not just new, but revelatory.”
As a founding principal, Lisa spent a year researching best practices at the nation’s leading girls’ schools. She soon began creating the Leadership Model School Framework, a powerful new approach integrating leadership and core values at the center of school life.
Lisa has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Master's in School Development from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
She partnered with Winston - Salem Public Schools literacy expert, Cynthia Needham, to create and found the JUST Girls World Organization.
ORGANIZATIONS
OUR PROGRAMS
Our programs are inspirational and transformational. We focus on teaching students about world issues as defined by the United Nations in connection with community partners.
Each of our four programs is a one-week highly engaging experience about the issues that students care about such as World Hunger, Environment, Poverty, and Human Equity. The camp experience also includes opportunities for students to take part in mindfulness, financial wellness, and art activism courses.
JUST Girls World is more than summer camp. It’s a commitment to helping girls make a difference for themselves, others and the world. Each of the four programs culminates in a public event for friends, family, community business leaders, and local politicians.
Program 1: Discovery: ‘Who am I ? And what do I care about?’
Small groups take part in discovery workshops about each of the causes throughout the program event. Additionally, students participate in activities that help them to understand how to become a leader for change.
The two-week term culminates in a movement performance for the community that demonstrates the problem and the solution.
Program 2: Research and Development: ‘I am empowered through knowledge to do good.’
Groups spend time with experts in the fields they care about and participate in specialized presentations and Q and A sessions.
This program focuses on information literacy, presentation skills, and the creation of Social Justice Presentation Boards. Students additionally take part in mindfulness workshops, financial literacy courses, and art activism. The two-week term culminates with a Night of Social Justice where the community is invited, and students present their research boards.
Program 3: Action: ‘We can make a difference’
Teams partner with a service site which becomes their supporting agency. Program directors meet with the team to discuss the needs of the agency.
The group creates an outreach project to support that agency: when, where, and how. They also develop a marketing and execution plan. This program includes classes on college financial aid, essay writing and navigating the college process.
Program 4: Immerse: ‘A movement starts with me but doesn’t end there’
Students will fully immerse in an internship/ volunteerism at the site of their choice that supports their cause.
Program participants create a capstone presentation of the experience which will be presented to parents and community members at a social justice capstone presentation event.
"Girls' lack of confidence is the strongest factor deterring them from pursuing leadership opportunities in their future.
However, boosting confidence is possible with programs that intentionally and equitably teach public speaking, communication, and self-advocacy. Furthermore, involving them in causes they care about increases leader behaviors.
After surveying over 11,000 students between the ages of 9 and 18 from fourteen different countries including Brazil, India, Kenya, the US, and New Zealand found that students care about the world.
Laurence Chandy, UNICEF Director of Data, Research and Policy, 2019.
81% of students identified poverty as the biggest issue affecting the world.
About 70 % are concerned about violence and terrorism.
67% are concerned about access to quality education.
44% worry about unfair treatment of refugee and migrants.
HOWEVER, 100% of students surveyed believed if their voices were heard, they could positively affect the future of the world.
Interested in making a difference?
Individuals:
If you are interested to learn more about our Leadership Summer Camp in Boston, please contact us for more information.
Organizations:
If your organization or school would like to bring the JUST Girls Word Program to your school, please contact us for program and pricing information.
Sponsors:
If you are interested in program sponsorship, please contact us for more information on how to sponsor the program for girls in your community.
