Shonqualla West-County, M.Ed., is a visionary leader redefining education through innovation, entrepreneurship, and career acceleration. As the Founder and Superintendent of Unparalleled Preparatory Academy (UPA), she merges STEM, leadership, and design thinking to equip students with the skills to lead, build, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world. A first-generation high school and college graduate with a background in biology, instructional leadership, and school turnaround, Shonqualla has spent her career creating student-centered, hands-on learning environments that foster creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. Passionate about entrepreneurial education and financial literacy, she believes students should graduate with both knowledge and power—the power to navigate life with confidence.

As the first Black woman to found and lead a charter school in the Austin region, Shonqualla is making history, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations of leaders and innovators. Through her leadership at UPA and her doctoral studies at the University of Southern California, she is shaping a new standard for student success, one that transforms learners into future innovators, CEOs, and changemakers. Because at UPA, students don’t just learn, they build legacies.