Nigena Livingston

Nigena Livingston will launch URBAN ACT Academy, a new middle school focusing on student empowerment in Indianapolis.

URBAN ACT Academy will empower students as leaders and infuse 21^st century skills with social, community and self-awareness projects to develop globally competitive scholars and informed citizens. The approach includes developing leadership at all levels, personalized learning opportunities that move beyond the rigorous curriculum and a relentless commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment. URBAN ACT which stands for, “Us Reaching Benefiting Aiding and Nurturing A Community Together,” was created with a fundamental belief that schools have a social obligation to work closely with neighbors to continue to make strong and positive impacts within the community it serves. They aim to be more than just a high-quality school preparing students for college and career, but also to be a great community partner and agents of change.

Livingston brings over 15 years of experience as an educator. She has worked full time for Teach For America and TNTP as an instructional coach. Most recently she served as the Pre-Service Training Director and Lead Effectiveness Coach for TNTP in Detroit for the founding year of the Michigan Teacher Corps. Additionally, Ms. Livingston has held various school leadership positions including being the founding principal of Jacksonville Lighthouse Community School in Jacksonville, Arkansas and becoming the principal for University Prep Middle School in Detroit. During her tenure as principal in Detroit, her school was recognized as one of Detroit’s Top 20 Best elementary and middle schools. Her middle school also received a two-time distinction as a “Beating the Odds” school which is awarded to schools whose academic achievement exceeds expectations based on the demographic characteristics of the school’s students.

Nigena Livingston has a BA in Health and Human Services from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Masters in Ed Leadership from Grand Valley State University.