CCAS alumna Shauna Carter, BA ‘00, reflects on her journey as an educator and the transformative impact she’s seen on her students in her role as Head of School at the Linden Hall School for Girls.
“With over twenty-three years of experience in education, I’ve witnessed the transformative impact of an all-girls education. Schools like Linden Hall foster confidence, ignite intellectual curiosity, and create lasting bonds of sisterhood that extend far beyond graduation.”
Shauna Carter
BA '00
Where did you grow up and how has your background influenced you today?
From a young age, my passion for education has been both a personal and professional journey. Growing up in Piscataway, New Jersey, I was fortunate to benefit from a community that valued academic excellence and embraced diversity. My father, who migrated from Guyana, and my mother, from rural North Carolina, sought a better life for my sister and me away from the turbulence of Brooklyn, New York. Their dedication to our education was evident, even though they did not attend college themselves.
Despite the supportive environment at home, I faced challenges in school due to my intense love for learning. My enthusiasm sometimes set me apart from my peers, making me the target of bullying. Being frequently one of the few Black students in honors and Advanced Placement classes, and often the only girl, presented its own set of hurdles. However, these experiences also fueled my determination. The encouragement I received from my teachers and mentors—especially the female role models who affirmed my potential—was instrumental in my academic and professional growth.
Did you receive a scholarship at GW? How did your scholarship help you succeed?
Yes, I received a scholarship at GW. Although I received some financial assistance through loans, I applied for the GW's Honors Programs to receive a scholarship to further fund my education. I also applied to GW's AmeriCorps Neighborhood Project, which gave me money for my education. I completed 900 hours of community service while still a student through this project.
Tell us about your current professional role and how it excites you.
As I transitioned into a career in education, my experiences as a high school English teacher in New Jersey were particularly rewarding. I found a deep connection with my female students, who faced their own pressures and challenges. I took great satisfaction in mentoring them, debunking myths about college, and sharing the empowering ethos of my sorority of uplifting women through community service. Working in an all-girls school later in my career confirmed my belief in the transformative impact of a supportive educational environment tailored to the needs of young women.
My move into school administration was driven by a desire to expand my influence and contribute to the broader educational landscape. I have excelled in roles where I could mentor teachers, engage with parents, and drive initiatives that support student success. However, my role in public schools often meant I was focused on discipline issues, particularly with boys, and I missed the opportunity to work closely with female students.
Transitioning to independent schools as a Middle School Director allowed me to re-engage with a more community-focused and relationship-driven environment. With each admissions event to recruit mission-aligned students and their families, every parent coffee on curricular updates, the annual community fundraiser, and quarterly lunch with student leaders, I foster connections among faculty, staff, students, families, and the wider community in order to create more meaningful learning experiences.
In my current role, I embrace a whole-child approach, ensuring that educational strategies address both academic and emotional needs. I am particularly passionate about the unique benefits of all-girls education; research shows that girls thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in all-girls settings. Being at an all-girls school compared to my co-educational experiences, I have seen students take more intellectual risks in their learning, obtain stronger leadership skills, and develop healthier relationships with peers in all-girls settings.
Since GW, I have served on executive boards and active committees of women-based organizations whose mission and purpose are to empower women and their surrounding communities. I have raised money for my alma mater and other organizations as well as participated in the development efforts of my current school, The Baldwin School, which involved projects such as a new STEM classroom for our middle school and outside recreational area for our middle and upper school students.
What accomplishment are you most proud of personally or professionally and why?
Being named the 47th Head of School of the Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz, PA, the oldest boarding and day school for girls in America and the number one all-girls school in Pennsylvania, is my proudest accomplishment. Linden Hall School for Girls was founded in 1746 by the Moravian Church and they believed in empowering and educating women as thoroughly as men.
With over twenty-three years of experience in education, I’ve witnessed the transformative impact of an all-girls education. Schools like Linden Hall foster confidence, ignite intellectual curiosity, and create lasting bonds of sisterhood that extend far beyond graduation. I am dedicated to nurturing the potential of every Linden Hall student through engaging academic and co-curricular programs, cherished traditions, and supportive community connections.
As Head of School, I can’t wait to connect with students, families, faculty, staff, alumnae, trustees, and community members. Strong relationships will be the foundation of our success. Together, we will cultivate a learning environment where every girl can thrive, explore her passions, and develop the skills she needs to succeed in whatever she chooses to pursue during and after her education at Linden Hall.
What is your only-at-GW moment? In other words, what is an experience/opportunity you believe GW provided you access to?
While working at GW's AmeriCorps Neighborhood Project, I led a reading tutorial program in Southeast, DC. I hired my sorority sisters and fraternity brothers as tutors. Although I was young, I fell in love with teaching and managing people. Seeing our students move up in reading levels because of our help and holding my peers accountable because our students' success was dependent on us showing up every week, ignited a passion that I didn't know I had.
I went to GW because I was going to be a forensic scientist and work at the FBI. However, due to my desire to stay at GW and having a financial need, I discovered opportunities that I may not have received if I attended another university. If I didn't attend GW, I would not have entered the field of education
What is a fun fact about you that you'd like to share?
Yvonne Orji was a graduate of Linden Hall School for Girls as well as a GW alum!
Was there a standout course, professor, or organization from your time as a student that inspired your career path?
Becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated through the Mu Delta Chapter at GW was transformative. Being a part of the first historical Black sorority who focused on serving all mankind as well as uplifting college girls through high academic standards, civic engagement, the fine arts, and education motivated me to stay in my career path. I have met so many Alpha Kappa Alpha members in education who are my mentors and advisors. I know I can always lean on and learn from my sorority sisters who have done similar work to me.
What is a piece of advice you would offer to students seeking to pursue your field of work?
Being an educator, public or private, is not easy. You have children and families depending on you to give your very best every day. You owe it to them to bring your best, but more importantly, you owe it to yourself because your work matters and has an impact. You may not see it in a traditional school year, but your relationship with a child, with a family, with a colleague does make a difference and has a lasting impression.
How do you give back to the GW community?
I donate annually to GW, restrictive for CCAS and the Jocelyn E. Yankey Book Scholarship through Mu Delta Chapter. I also used to be a regional volunteer and serve on the GW Black Alumni Executive Board when I moved to Philadelphia. Unfortunately, my work obligations increased and I have to take a step back.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the GW community?
I'm proud of being a GW alum. My experiences at GW were transformative and contributed to who I am today.