Robin E. Fleshman, PhD, is an exceptionally accomplished academic administrator and educational leader. She credits her remarkable success to the foundation that her “extraordinary” parents, Earl and Susie Fleshman, laid for her and her “incredible” siblings—Paula, Markanthony, and Bryant—during their upbringing. Thanks to this solid beginning, she has been able to navigate most of life’s challenges with ease and confidence through current times. Along with her parents, Dr. Fleshman proudly attributes her values and overall success to her siblings, Bryant, whom she calls “brilliant” and recognized as a child prodigy; Markanthony, a talented chef, writer, and music producer; and Paula, a distinguished research statistician, leader, and a high-demand mathematics consultant.
Since 2018, Dr. Fleshman has earned kudos as the principal of the New York City-based Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School (CACPCS), where she is responsible for ensuring that all students, staff and families receive a coordinated, aligned, equitable, and high-quality comprehensive education across their CACPCS journey with a laser-like focus and emphasis on building and sustaining the premiere middle school experience for all. Dr. Fleshman’s aim is to set an equitable pathway forward with care and distinction for everyone.
Dr. Fleshman fondly recalls how her mother dedicated time each day to learning different subjects, including math, science, literacy and writing, social studies, history, religion, social and emotional development, and the arts (music, creative, and culinary), turning the process of acquiring knowledge and applicable life skills into experiential learning, SEL activities, and self-constructed games. In addition to her parents nurturing her interest in science, she is deeply grateful to various educators, colleagues, and mentors throughout her career who played pivotal roles in shaping her professional trajectory. Dr. Fleshman remembers her high school chemistry teacher was the first educator to encourage her to pursue science and higher education. The teacher’s inspiring words have remained etched in Dr. Fleshman’s memory, still fueling her passion and aspirations for science.
Dr. Fleshman brings more than 20 years of combined experience in education, leadership, and youth development. She worked as a science teacher, science coach, and science staff developer for District 2 in the NYC Department of Education. In 2008, she began her career with Children’s Aid Society (now Children’s Aid) as a deputy division director of the school-age division developing and overseeing upwards of fourteen community schools across multiple NYC school districts in the Bronx during the course of a decade and more before accepting her current role. Earlier in her career, Dr. Fleshman was a director for the Harlem Educational Activities Fund’s high school division and adjunct faculty at Mercy College (now Mercy University) Graduate School of Education. Further, since 2018, she has shared her knowledge with students as an adjunct faculty member at Columbia University’s Teachers College Graduate School of Education, including doctoral courses. In 2017, Dr. Fleshman became a science professional development consultant for the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for their STEM Institutes for International educators and school administrators and for various institutes for the NYC Department of Education. In 2022, she was featured in “Cultivating a New Generation of Women in STEM” with Children’s Aid. Dr. Fleshman has found additional success through her written works, co-authoring published research in science education and authoring curricula on teaching HIV/AIDS to students in middle school and high school. She also has contributed to chapters and articles in scientific books, professional journals, and textbooks.
Dr. Fleshman has continually sought higher education and professional development, making them cornerstones of her success. She graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in biology, after which she attended New York University. Studying biology, science, and secondary education, she obtained a Master of Arts in 2000. Later in her career, Dr. Fleshman returned to academia at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she earned a Master of Arts in philosophy. In 2017, she graduated from Columbia University with a Doctor of Philosophy in science education, completing her dissertation on high-stakes assessments in high schools, which entailed a two-year study on Regents Examinations and college readiness in the South Bronx in New York. Dr. Fleshman completed an additional Master of Science in educational leadership and administration at the College of Saint Rose. At the same institution, she secured more credentials by completing the Dual Advanced Certificate Program for School Building Leader and School District Leader. Dr. Fleshman ascribes the success of her doctoral journey and so much more to her “extraordinary” sister Dr. Paula Fleshman, who earned her Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics education from The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) in 2012.
Outside of her primary role as an administrator, Dr. Fleshman stays active in her local and professional communities. She is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in the Tau Omega Chapter and maintains affiliation with the National Science Teaching Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Educational Research Association, NARST Science Teaching—Middle and High School Review, and Sisters of the Academy (SOTA). Dr. Fleshman enjoys volunteering through her church and her sorority in her free time. Looking ahead, her goal is to become the U.S. Secretary of Education. She plans to follow the path God has planned for her and is considering taking on larger-scale roles and opportunities for service and social justice as she advances in her career. Above all, Dr. Fleshman is a caring and devoted leader who is committed to finding better ways to serve children, families, and communities.