““I’m proud to dedicate myself to the young people in this community, to the vital work of ensuring that all students feel seen, heard, and cared for and helping them envision the future they deserve, one they may not have thought possible.””
The Board of Directors of East Palo Alto Academy Foundation (EPAAF) is thrilled to have appointed Kate Hyle, an accomplished educator and administrator committed to helping underserved youth, as the new Executive Director effective June 1, 2023. In this role, Hyle will continue to oversee the foundation’s College Success Program (CSP), Postsecondary Support Program (PSSP), and Scholarship Award Program while leading and motivating the foundation team, securing funding, and overseeing strategic and operational excellence in support of the students and alumni of East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA) during their high school years and their post-graduation journeys to four-year college, community college, or vocational pursuits.
Most recently serving as Director of Programs for EPAAF, Hyle joined the foundation in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she designed and led engagement for nearly 100 students, ensuring they received the help they needed to pursue their first semester of college online. Hyle has developed and implemented systems and strategies to best serve students as the programs broadened and scaled. She created the Postsecondary Support Program (PSSP) recognizing the need for multiple pathways to support students after high school graduation. During her tenure, she dramatically increased the student retention rate, now averaging over 90% retention in our programs year-over-year.
“Through her passion, dedication, and thoughtful leadership, Kate has shown that she shares East Palo Alto Academy Foundation's commitment to the vision that all students graduate ready for a diverse set of pathways and empowered with the knowledge, skills and passion to positively impact their own lives while uplifting their peers, their families, and their whole community," said Laura Murawczyk, EPAAF President and Board Chair.
Hyle, who holds a Master of Arts, Counseling and Guidance from San Jose State University, has immersed herself in the East Palo Alto community for the last 13 years. Her prior work in the community includes roles at multiple Aspire Public Schools, including serving as Assistant Principal, Aspire East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, where she set culturally-relevant, data-driven goals and priorities for the school, while coaching and observing teachers and supervising senior-level administrative and program staff. Over her career, Hyle has designed and led responsive interventions that address academic, behavioral, and mental health needs.
We hope you will join us in celebrating Kate's new role as we continue to work together to support the students and alumni of East Palo Alto Academy to break the cycle of poverty and access lives of choice and opportunity through education.