While at North Carolina A&T State University, Emilee Christopher, a 2009 graduate, learned two important lessons; how to make a plan and how to quit. As an educator and co-founder of a non-profit organization she has committed her life to inspiring and educating others to do the same.

The child development and family studies alumna is the director of operations at Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle School in New York, N.Y. There, she spends her days entrenched in all aspects of the school’s operations, from finance and human resources to safety and food services.

On June 27, Christopher will experience her most rewarding career milestone yet. She will watch her first graduating class commence towards the next phase of their lives. On June 28, with her life lessons in tow, she will stick to her plan and leave the middle school after serving the organization for 3 years.

“Quitting is very difficult but it’s important,” says the former Miss Senior. “There is power in quitting but only when you do it right. Most see quitting as a cop out, but it’s about what you do after you’ve kicked, screamed and walked out that makes the difference between a quitter and a decision-maker.”

Throughout her life Christopher has been faced with a surplus of choices that have put her decision making skills to the test. It all began in 2006 with the help of an associate professor in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Thurman Guy. Dr. Guy helped her make a major decision to leave the Lady Aggies basketball team and fully concentrate on her academics.

“Dr. Guy and I embarked on creating a professional development plan for me,” she said. “I had never had the opportunity to truly step back and think about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.”

North Carolina A&T was the place where Christopher learned how to focus on and pursue her passions.

“I came to the realization that I did not want to begin working immediately after graduation,” she said.

Upon graduation the heavily involved student moved to Cambridge, Mass. where she earned a master’s degree in education policy and management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

It is her drive for continuous learning that propels Christopher to higher heights and enables her to make tough decisions.

“I made a promise to myself that I would never settle for less than what I felt I was valued for or could learn from while on the way to my ultimate goal,” she said.

Christopher embodies that statement in her role as the director of program development for her non-profit organization Catalyst Network Foundation. She is responsible for developing the youth curriculum and has created a summer program for high school students in Brooklyn, N.Y. The “strengths-based” program will teach students about the importance of following their passions and creating a plan among other skills they need for success.

In the near future Christopher will complete the Professional Certificate in Leadership and Organizational Development program at the New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

The young professional knows that in this world “you will question your morals, values, self-values, skills, capabilities, and just about any other trait about yourself.”

“My advice is to stay steadfast in your faith, pray, know your moral foundation and remember what your passion is and how whatever you’re doing is linked to that passion,” she said.