Tricia Wilbourne has served students and their families in education over a thirty-year period in four states in an array of roles to include, volunteer, PTA president, classroom teacher, instructional coach and in her current role, Executive Director and Principal of Discovery Charter School in Las Vegas. Her responsibilities span all operational departments as she administers two campuses, 500 students, over 50 staff members, and a three-member Therapy Dog Program. She has authority over these operations as well as all compliance reports with the State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA), Nevada Department of Education (DOE), and the United State DOE. She has led Discovery Charter School for five years and transformed the school from her initial administrative year by doubling enrollment and creating a financial surplus. Academic performance has remained a consistent focus with an emphasis on improving student performance.

Tricia is currently in fellowship with Opportunity 180 as a Propel Fellow to establish Nevada’s first autism charter school. She is a member of the National Accelerator of Autism Charter Schools whose mission is to support founding teams committed to starting Autism-Focused Charter Schools. She works closely with autism charter schools in Florida and Arizona with the goal of replicating their high quality educational model for students with autism in the great city of Las Vegas and beyond. This ambitious project would meet a critical need and offer families a school choice in educating their autistic child.

Tricia is a Leadership Institute of Nevada Teacher Leader Academy Alumni, Executive Leader Alumni, Charter School Association of Nevada board member, and Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2023 Alumni. She holds a Nevada teaching and administration license. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Georgia and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University.

Tricia is married to a United States Air Force retired fighter pilot whose last Nellis Air Force Base assignment brought them to the great city of Las Vegas. They have two adult sons that are products of public and private schools from seven different states. Their younger son experienced a tragic bicycling accident four years ago and remains a quadriplegic. He is independent and thriving at the University of Colorado as an aerospace engineer. Their older son is married and employed as an engineer.

Tricia Wilbourne considers it a privilege to work for her students, their families, her staff and the community stakeholders. Her personal and professional experiences bring high leadership value as she navigates the problems facing Nevada students. She is tireless in her efforts to find solutions to improve the learning environment for all students in our state.