Hilton Head Christian Academy is proud to celebrate 8th-grade Science Mentor Michelle Judd, who has been named to the 2026 WAI Harvard Women in Leadership cohort, a prestigious honor awarded by Women in Aviation International (WAI).

Selected from an exceptional group of applicants from across the aviation and aerospace community, Judd will attend the Women in Leadership: A Program for Emerging Leaders course held at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in May.

The highly regarded program brings together rising leaders in aviation for intensive leadership training and strengthens the global network of women shaping the industry's future.

A former NASA educator with a deep passion for aviation and aerospace, Judd brings real-world experience and enthusiasm into her classroom at HHCA. Her students regularly engage in hands-on STEM learning that connects science concepts to real-world innovation and exploration, with a special emphasis on aerospace and aviation when applicable.

Under her mentorship, HHCA students have competed in the NASA TechRise Challenge — even earning a coveted opportunity to launch their experiment aboard a high-altitude NASA research balloon. She also regularly organizes aviation-focused field trips and experiential learning opportunities that introduce students to exciting STEM careers.

Most recently, Judd accompanied HHCA’s 8th-grade girls to WAI's Girls in Aviation Day in Savannah, where the students connected with female pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals and gained firsthand insight into opportunities in the aerospace industry.

Judd will be recognized at the 37th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference in Dallas this March, where the 2026 Harvard Women in Leadership cohort will be announced. Her selection places her among a distinguished cohort of leaders committed to advancing women in aviation and aerospace.

We are grateful for the way Mrs. Judd models excellence, perseverance, and Christ-centered leadership for our students — especially young women who are discovering new passions in STEM fields. She continues to inspire HHCA students to pursue their God-given talents boldly as they explore the wonders of science, aviation, and aerospace.

Mrs. Tabatha DeWitt, Director of Academics & Technology

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Judd on this well-deserved recognition!