Jessica Waters is the Executive Director of Nowell Academy, a public high school in Providence committed to ensuring pregnant, parenting, and underserved youth graduate with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in college, career, and family life.

Since joining Nowell in 2016, Jessica has guided the school through a significant redesign, helping to secure more than $1 million through the Barr Foundation’s Engage New England initiative. During this time, Nowell evolved from a drop-in tutoring model into a personalized, competency-based program designed to re-engage students and reduce the barriers that too often stand in the way of graduation.

Jessica’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. As a former high school dropout, she understands firsthand the impact of being given a second chance and has dedicated her career to building a school where students who have been pushed to the margins are seen, supported, and able to succeed. A proud Muslim woman and mother of four, she brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her leadership.

Before joining Nowell, Jessica served as an Educator Specialist at the Rhode Island Department of Education and as Director of Next Generation Partnerships at Rhode Island Mayoral Academies. She began her career as a science teacher and was named Rhode Island State Teacher of the Year in 2013. In 2024, she traveled to Finland as a Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools recipient, where she studied international approaches to equity and innovation in education.