Sumner High School Principal Ronda Wallace Receives WashU Provost Impact Award
Saint Louis Public Schools is proud to celebrate Sumner High School Principal Dr. Ronda Wallace for receiving a 2026 Provost Impact Award from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Wallace was recognized alongside WashU faculty member Kelley Van Dyck Murphy for their collaborative project, “Building Pathways: Cultivating Diverse Futures Through K-12 and University Design Education.” The initiative connects Sumner students to real-world learning experiences in architecture and design, helping them explore career opportunities and see themselves in fields where representation has historically been limited.
The project brings together high school students, university students, and younger learners to engage in hands-on design work. Through this partnership, Sumner students serve as co-designers and community experts, contributing their ideas while gaining exposure to architecture and design pathways.
This recognition highlights the power of collaboration between Saint Louis Public Schools and higher education partners to expand opportunities for students and prepare them for future success.
We congratulate Dr. Wallace on this well-deserved honor and thank our partners at Washington University for their continued investment in SLPS students.
Photo Caption:
WashU Provost Mark D. West, Dr. Ronda Wallace, Kelley Van Dyck Murphy, and Bettina Drake at the 2026 Confluence Collaborative Research Showcase. (Photo: Sid Hastings/WashU)