Principal Lisa Paolo ’89Ed, ’91GEd Receives 2025 Women’s Achiever Award

The School of Education joined the St. John’s University community to honor several alumnae at the annual Celebrating the Women of St. John’s University luncheon on March 29.

Recipients of the Women’s Achiever Award included Lisa Paolo ’89Ed, ’91GEd, Owner and Principal of Paolo Prep Academy, an independent and accredited private school in Hypoluxo, FL.

“I commend St. John’s University for hosting such a lovely event to celebrate the unique contributions of Women within the university community. The honorees were inspirational in their own genre and our own alumna, Principal Paolo, is leading the way in education with the next generation of virtual K-12 schools”, said Aliya E. Holmes, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Educational Technology in the Department Curriculum & Instruction.

In 1997, Ms. Paolo became the youngest principal appointed by the New York City Board of Education. In her speech, Ms. Paolo, a 30-year educator, reflected on the value of her experiences at St. John's and the knowledge gained as a student in The School of Education, said: 

"Being a recipient of the 2025 Women's Achiever Award from St. John's University means the world to me. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come together and celebrate the Women of St. John's. As women, we wear many hats, and it is vital to surround ourselves with like-minded, positive, and intelligent ladies who can lean on and inspire one another. The greatest gift is when women come together and help one another. It is amazing to watch women create space for one another and move mountains. I look forward to watching the next generation of graduates from the School of Education soar, and I will be there to help in any way I can."