About the National School Climate Center

Our Mission

The National School Climate Center (NSCC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping school communities measure and improve their climates so that all students have access to learning environments that help them achieve their fullest potential in school and in life.

Our Vision

All students attend schools where adults work together to develop and sustain positive climates, and where every student has equal access to learning experiences that foster the social, emotional, and intellectual skills needed to become healthy, productive citizens.

Students participating in collaborative learning

Guided by Purpose

Our vision and values shape how we support schools in building safe, supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.

Our Core Values

Our work is guided by core values that shape how we collaborate, make decisions, and support school communities in building environments where every student can thrive.

  • Collaboration – We believe meaningful change happens when students, families, educators, and communities work together.

  • Equity – Every student deserves access to safe, supportive learning environments and opportunities to succeed.

  • Research-Based Practice – Our work is grounded in evidence, data, and continuous learning.

  • Student Voice – Students are essential partners in shaping positive school climates.

At NSCC, we strive to cultivate the same positive climate within our organization that we promote in schools.

National School Climate Center Leadership Team

Samantha Elleman, Associate Director of Research, National School Climate Center

Samantha Elleman

Associate Director of Research
Kori Hamilton Biagas, Director of Education, National School Climate Center

Kori Hamilton Biagas

Director of Education
Adam St. Bernard Jacobs(he/him), Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Adam Jacobs

Co-Executive Director
E Tsang, Director of Operations, National School Climate Center

E. Tsang

Director of Operations
Christian Villenas, Ph.D, Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Christian Villenas, PhD

Co-Executive Director
Amanda Weitzel, Director of School Partnerships, National School Climate Center

Amanda Weitzel

Director of School Partnerships

Board of Directors

Nicholas Benedict
Michael Bucella
Dafna Dothan
Ranjani Durham, MSPH
George Igel, MD
Michael S. Katzke

David M. Becker,
Board Chair Emeritus (1947-2026)

Elizabeth Roth
Gerald Rothstein
Amol Sarva
Monique Shields
William Turner, MD

Interested in learning more about our Board or joining our team?

Contact Adam Jacobs at ajacobs@schoolclimate.org

NSCC, Shaping School Climate Since 1996
NSCC HISTORY

Shaping School Climate Since 1996

1
The Early Years: 1996–1999
The National School Climate Center (NSCC) was founded at Teachers College, Columbia University, originally called the Center for Social and Emotional Education. From the beginning, our focus was on developing leaders in social and emotional learning.

Early achievements include:
  • Launching a series of national conferences and annual summer institutes
  • Publishing the Teachers College Press Social Emotional Learning Series
  • Consulting with schools and districts to support SEL initiatives
2
Becoming Independent: 1999–2005
With support from the Surdna Foundation, NSCC embarked on strategic planning that led us to become a free-standing nonprofit. During this period, we focused on creating tools to measure prosocial learning and positive school climate.

Key milestones:
3
National Growth: 2005–2015
NSCC expanded its reach, partnering with states, foreign educational ministries, and networks of schools across the U.S.

Highlights from this era:
  • Refined and validated school climate assessment tools
  • Supported research, policy development, and professional development programs
  • Worked with educators to implement comprehensive climate improvement strategies
4
Today and Beyond
NSCC continues to empower schools, districts, and states with expertise in:

By mobilizing students, parents/guardians, school personnel, and communities, we create positive climates for learning that support success in school and in life. With the guidance of our dedicated Board, the National School Climate Council, and expert staff, NSCC has grown into a national leader in school climate reform, social-emotional learning, and civic education.

Help Us Continue this Work

Every contribution supports our mission to help schools create positive climates where all students can thrive.

Samantha Elleman, Associate Director of Research, National School Climate Center

Samantha Elleman

Associate Director of Research

Samantha’s primary research topics span school climate, social inclusion, and school climate improvement. Prior to joining the National School Climate Center, Samantha worked as Assistant Teacher and Research Assistant at the Barnard Toddler Center. Her research interests include early childhood education, childhood trauma and protective factors, social-emotional education, and mental wellness in schools. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College and a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Kori Hamilton Biagas, Director of Education, National School Climate Center

Kori Hamilton Biagas

Director of Education

Kori is an educator, connector, truth seeker, master facilitator, and the founder of Just Educators. Kori has nearly 20 years of experience in strategic planning, policy analysis and development, instruction, coaching, and technical assistance. As an Equity Specialist for the Region IV and Region IX equity assistance centers, Kori managed large-scale, racial equity driven school district transformation efforts, led district and state leaders through policy analysis, coached state leaders through school climate transformation initiatives, and provided equity-focused professional learning opportunities at all levels of education. Kori specializes in addressing and resolving inequitable policies, practices, and processes in organizations related to racial equity and social justice.
Adam St. Bernard Jacobs(he/him), Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Adam St. Bernard Jacobs (he/him)

Co-Executive Director

Adam is a peace educator and nonprofit leader. Adam was previously the organization’s Director of Development. Prior to joining NSCC, Adam was the co-founder and Executive Director of Kids Creative, an arts education organization in NYC. He was also a member of the team that founded a community elementary school in The Bronx. He has worked on issues of equity, anti-racism, arts education, and conflict resolution. He has written articles and led workshops in conflict resolution and the arts, giving talks and workshops at Columbia University, The Peace and Justice Studies Conference, Gettysburg College, and The University of Istanbul, among others. Adam has an undergraduate degree in International Politics, a Masters degree in Peace Education, and a Certificate in Senior Nonprofit Leadership, all from Columbia University, as well as an undergraduate degree in Rabbinic Law from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He was also Mr. Clown, a lead performer in the internationally acclaimed rock group for kids, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, and was a regular on Nick Jr. and Chuck E Cheese TV. He is raising 2 fantastic children with his life partner, Tabitha.
E Tsang, Director of Operations, National School Climate Center

E Tsang

Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations for NSCC, E Tsang helps make the finances, HR, and organizational functions of NSCC run smoothly.
Christian Villenas, Ph.D, Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Christian Villenas, Ph.D

Co-Executive Director

A sociologist by training and an applied education researcher by practice, Christian’s work examines how educational institutions shape opportunity, belonging, exclusion, and student experience. At NSCC, he helps guide the organization’s research, measurement, evaluation, partnerships, and strategic growth, with a focus on making evidence usable for schools, districts, and education partners. Before joining NSCC, Dr. Villenas held research and policy roles at GLSEN, Advocates for Children of New York, the New York City Charter School Center, the NAEP Education Statistics Services Institute, and the American Institutes for Research. Across more than two decades, his work has focused on school climate, social disparities in education, disability studies, LGBTQ student experiences, college access, education policy, program evaluation, and statistical analysis. He holds a BS from New York University, an MS from The New School, and a PhD in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University.
Amanda Weitzel, Director of School Partnerships, National School Climate Center

Amanda Weitzel

Director of School Partnerships

For over a decade at NSCC, Amanda has partnered with schools and districts across the country to support the implementation of school climate surveys and the strategic use of data to drive meaningful improvement. With a background in data analysis, customer success, and partner support, Amanda specializes in helping educators move beyond data collection to uncover actionable insights that strengthen school communities. Her work sits at the intersection of research, data, and practice, guiding school and district leaders in translating survey results into informed decisions that support student success, staff well-being, and positive learning environments. Amanda is passionate about empowering educators with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to create safe, supportive, and engaging schools where all students can thrive.