Dr. Janice Jett is Salem College’s assistant professor and program director for the graduate program in educational leadership. Her contagious energy and enthusiasm radiate positivity, encouragement, and inspiration for learning across Salem’s campus.

This spark for learning started for Dr. Jett at a very young age, primarily in the third grade when her teacher, Mrs. Abey, quickly took notice of her strong intellect and natural ability to mentor and teach others. At just eight years old, she can remember Mrs. Abey encouraging her to lean into her gift as an educator and aspire to become a teacher.

“I learned early on that I loved to stay busy and engaged by helping other students to read and spell,” Dr. Jett remembered. Because of Mrs. Abey’s insightfulness and caring encouragement, I found my passion for teaching.”

Her early passion for teaching led her on a lifelong journey to become an educator. Dr. Jett received the NC Teaching Fellows scholarship that allowed her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English Education at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (Go Spartans!), a master’s degree in English rhetoric and composition and school administration from East Carolina University, and a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from North Carolina State University.

“I spent more than a decade in the secondary education setting and discovered many challenges while also embracing a greater love for education working with wonderful colleagues and incredibly grateful students,” Dr. Jett recalled.

This experience led her to a leadership path in education. Transitioning from teacher to principal and later into director roles, Dr. Jett is now on a mission to develop more outstanding educational leaders through Salem’s Master of Educational Leadership program.

“I am incredibly invested in North Carolina education and doing whatever I can do to help my future principals succeed in best meeting the needs of our kids means a lot to me,” Dr. Jett said.

In the educational leadership graduate program at Salem, Dr. Jett helps teachers and educators find a sense of comfort and confidence in becoming the next generation of leaders.

“In our graduate program, we talk a lot about practical experiences our students have learned while being teachers and how their experiences are preparing them to confidently become principals and administrators in our schools,” she said.

Under Dr. Jett’s innovative leadership, Salem’s Master of Educational Leadership program prepares educators beyond becoming effective administrators in education and into remarkable leaders who remove barriers and transform the education system to meet the needs of future students and their families.

It is because of Dr. Jett’s commitment to North Carolina’s future that Salem’s educational leadership program is recognized by Forbes as one of the best online master’s in educational leadership programs of 2024.

When you ask Dr. Jett what she loves most about her role at Salem, she feels that “it is a privilege and an opportunity to serve among such committed educators.” When you ask her what makes Salem remarkable from her perspective, she believes the number of opportunities Salem provides students, both undergraduate and graduate, is extraordinary.

“Students can really blossom and thrive here versus other college settings that are much bigger than Salem. This is a special place where every student matters because Salem believes in young women and their promising futures,” she exclaimed.

For more information about Salem’s graduate program in educational leadership, please contact Dr. Jett at janice.jett@salem.edu.