State College Area High School Assistant Principal Danielle Ambrosia. Photo by Nabil K. Mark | SCASD

A State College Area High School administrator has been named Pennsylvania’s Assistant Principal of the Year.

State High Assistant Principal Danielle Ambrosia received the honor for 2026 from the Pennsylvania Principals Association and is now a candidate for the National Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year.

“Danielle’s passion for her students, her school and her fellow administrators highlights the vital role each member of the administrative team plays in creating a thriving school community,” Eric C. Eshbach, executive director of the Pennsylvania Principals Association, said in a statement on Monday. “I am thrilled that Danielle Ambrosia has been selected to represent the Pennsylvania Principals Association as our 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year.”

Ambrosia, one of four assistant principals at State High, has been in her current role since 2021. She joined the school as an English teacher in 2009, served as an equity teacher leader from 2018 to 2021 and was also the varsity head cheer coach from 2010 to 2018.

“As an assistant principal, I have the privilege of working in the spaces where small moments add up to big impact,” Ambrosia said. “This award reflects the everyday moments and wins created by our students, staff and families. I am grateful to work alongside them and amplify the work that makes our school what it is.

“Leadership is not a lone endeavor; I am surrounded by colleagues who are relentless in their dedication to students. This award reflects the collective strength of our school community. Thank you to my incredible family: Tom, Tommy and Deanna, who have always supported my career and goals,”

Ambrosia has collaborated staff and administrators to strengthen the school culture, with a focus on student safety and well-being, according to a release. That work has included supporting several school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports celebrations and hosting two annual Mental Health Summits, student-designed events created in partnership with community organizations to offer opportunities for connection and self-reflection through more than 30 activities,

She has been a member of the school’s rapid response team since 2016, works with State High’s security team and school resource officer to maintain secure entrances and exits and helps to refine emergency preparedness plans.

“In collaboration with my principal and SRO, we launched the Student Safety Ambassador program,” Ambrosia said. “This initiative allows interested students to partner with our SRO to share safety information with peers, educate students about drills and emergency procedures and develop leadership skills in public safety and service.”

Ambrosia also has played an instrumental role in developing structured supports for the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports, with a focus on student groups experiencing peer conflict, anger management challenges and difficulty with behavioral expectations. As ninth-grade team leader, she facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration among teachers, counselors and administrators, with weekly meetings focused not only on academic progress, but on the whole child, including social-emotional well-being, peer relationships and family communication, according to the release.

“This is an exceptional and well-deserved honor that reflects Danielle’s dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to our students, staff and school community,” Curtis Johnson, State College Area School District superintendent said. “Danielle’s work exemplifies the values we strive to uphold across the district, and her recognition brings pride to our entire school community.”

Ambrosia’s recognition is the second statewide honor for a State High administrator this year. Principal Laura Tobias was named the 2025 Pennsylvania Principal of the Year in January by the Pennsylvania Principals Association