Influential Woman · Education

Latoya McCalla

College & Alumni Success Director, Prospect Schools

Bronx, NY

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's in Social Work from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) Degree Master's in Social Work from Yeshiva University (completed in one year)

Her Story

About Latoya

I've been working in education for about 17-18 years, and it's been a balance of both learning and giving. I'm originally from Connecticut, and when I moved to New York, I had to learn the high school application process where students actually have to apply to high school, which was very new to me because I just went to a zone school where I lived. My day is pretty balanced between a lot of computer time - doing data, information, and research to get stuff prepped for my students and my caseload - and then being interactive and student-facing with a lot of kids in my office, whether I want them there or not. One of my most notable achievements was getting 100% of my students into their high school of choice, which was probably one of my most memorable, favorite, and absolutely fulfilling things I've ever done. I'm really very big on authenticity - what people see at me at work is who I am at home or with my family and friends. It's really important to me to be authentic to myself, whether it's cultural, academics, education, or my beliefs.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Latoya

01What do you attribute your success to?

I mentioned that I'm first generation, and I think really just pushing myself to achieve accomplishments that I know would make my parents proud, but most importantly, myself proud. Going for my bachelor's and my master's was something that I knew I wanted to do from a young age. That was something that I just knew I wanted to be - something I was committed to accomplishing.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Don't overthink it too much, just do it. I think that's where I really am in the phase of my life right now, is actually just stop overthinking it and just actually just do it. And I've been doing that.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Girl, never give up. Keep on pushing, and there's always the top to the top.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Probably professional development - the access to it is very limited when it comes to education administration that's out there. It's more just like you just learn what you learn through your job. I wish there was more out there.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I'm really very big on just authenticity. I think what people see at me at work is who I am - I'm also I am at home or with my family and friends, just because it's really important to me to be authentic to myself, whether it's cultural, academics, education, my beliefs, whatever that may be.

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