Marcia Hicks: School Counselor and Program Leader, Global Minority Achievement Community (gMAC) Scholars

For more than 25 years, Marcia Hicks has dedicated her career to supporting young people and helping them recognize their potential, pursue academic excellence, and develop confidence as students and leaders. A longtime counselor at Columbia High School, Marcia's work is grounded in a deep commitment to educational equity and ensuring that all students have the opportunity and support they need to thrive.

Marcia serves as program leader for the Global Minority Achievement Community (gMAC) Scholars, where she empowers students from all backgrounds through mentorship, academic engagement, leadership development, and community-building. Under her guidance, gMAC has grown into a vibrant network of scholars who encourage one another, take pride in their accomplishments, and serve as role models for younger students.

In addition to her leadership of gMAC Scholars, Marcia coordinates the Counseling Annex and supports the Cougar Academy program, helping to expand students' access to academic and social-emotional resources. Throughout her career, she has worked to create opportunities for students—particularly students of color—to see themselves as capable of high achievement and to have the tools, encouragement, and support to pursue their goals.

Marcia has also been a longtime partner of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. Through gMAC Scholars, she and her students have participated in and supported the Coalition's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance and other community efforts, contributing their voices and leadership to our shared work toward racial equity and inclusion.

In 2026, Marcia received the Racial Advocacy Award at the Essex County Education Association's Annual Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner, recognizing her commitment to racial equity and advocacy.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees, Marcia is also an active volunteer in Essex County. Her decades of service to students, families, and the broader community reflect her enduring belief in the potential of every young person and the importance of creating pathways to opportunity and success.

Sarah Lester

Director of the Maplewood Memorial Library

Since 2012, Sarah Lester has served as Director of the Maplewood Memorial Library in Maplewood, New Jersey – a system she has been proud to serve twice. Over a distinguished 30-year career, Sarah has focused on expanding information access and strengthening community connections across the country, also holding positions at the New York Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, Marin County Free Library and Nutley Public Library.

Born in Iran to a U.S. State Department employee and raised in Washington, D.C., Sarah’s global outlook was shaped early on by world travel, public service and deep intellectual curiosity. Though an unapproachable neighborhood librarian initially turned her off from the profession, her trajectory changed after moving to Douglas County, Colorado. Observing her mother’s dedicated service as a library trustee revealed the transformative power of public libraries, prompting Sarah to leave her publishing aspirations behind. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College and a Master of Library Science from San José State University.

Rooted in the core belief that access to information, intellectual freedom and literacy are indispensable pillars of a thriving democracy, Sarah shapes her work around the library's foundational "Open For All" mission. Under her leadership, the town completed a historic $24 million redevelopment of the library, opening the new facility in 2025. Designed as a community anchor where diverse perspectives and inclusive programming are celebrated, the building stands as New Jersey’s first LEED Gold-certified public library – and recently earned certification through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and the 2026 U.S. Local Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council.

By championing strong partnerships with local civic, social justice and educational organizations, Sarah and the Maplewood Library team have launched dynamic community initiatives, expanded adult literacy services and broadened equitable outreach across the town. Together, these efforts further civic engagement and equal opportunity across the community. In 2026, she was elected Vice President/President-Elect of the New Jersey Library Association.

Sarah is the proud mother of three children and lives in Maplewood where she enjoys being part of the vibrant community she serves.