Willa Handy earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Master of Arts in Teaching, Chemistry 9–Adult at Concord University, later completing her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with High Distinction from Liberty University in 2024. Now a high school chemistry teacher at Metro Early College High School, she brings nearly a decade of experience supporting student success through more than 5,000 hours of tutoring, mentoring, and community engagement. While at Concord, she was actively involved in organizations including the Bonner Scholars Program, the International Students Club, the American Chemical Society, Black Student Union, Newman Club, and Jazz Ensemble. She has further expanded her impact through her work with the PAST Foundation, where she developed and led STEM and workforce development programming for high school interns, and she remains deeply engaged in extracurricular initiatives that foster student growth beyond the classroom. Her dedication to education and student achievement earned her recognition in the The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology “Women in Science Feature” in 2023.