Mariah Walker ’06, ’10MED, ’12MSA, ’24EDD, a four-time graduate of NC State’s College of Education and the principal of Wake Young Women’ s Leadership Academy, has been named the 2026 Wells Fargo North Central Region Principal of the Year.
The Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Award honors eight finalists across North Carolina each year for their success in establishing an environment conducive to the pursuit and achievement of academic excellence. In receiving the North Central Regional Principal of the Year award, Walker becomes a finalist for the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year award, which will be announced in the spring.
“Receiving the Wells Fargo North Central Regional Principal of the Year Award is deeply meaningful to me,” Walker said. “While it is such a special piece of my leadership journey, it more importantly represents the collective work of an extraordinary community, students, families, educators and district partners who show up each day with a shared commitment to excellence, inspiration and belonging.”
Walker was also recently named the Wake County Public School System’s Principal of the Year, where she was recognized for her approach to school leadership, which is grounded in the idea that strength and compassion are equally important assets in a leadership role.
Receiving the 2026 Wells Fargo North Central Region Principal of the Year award, she said, is significant for her because it means she has an opportunity “to represent the good in education” and reflects the strong connections among North Carolina schools, which she has been able to engage with and learn from over the years.
“It is a privilege to help lift and celebrate the climate, culture and promise of North Carolina’s schools; urban, suburban and rural alike. Investing in the future of our state by honoring the students, teachers and communities who pour their time, care and talent into building strong schools is a true honor,” she said. “North Carolina’s uniqueness deserves celebration, and I am honored to play a part in advancing that on behalf of all our students.”
Source: ced.ncsu.edu
