Educator. Innovator. Bethanian.

Dr. Nicole (Mullen) Dice ’07 is the youngest female superintendent in Pennsylvania, a title she has held since she was 35. Now at the helm of Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District (TVASD) in Somerset County, Nicole has made a lasting impact on education through her leadership, innovation, and connection to her alma mater.

Dice’s path to education leadership began at Bethany, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in elementary education and a minor in special education. As a Kalon Scholar, she launched a youth athletic program and immersed herself in campus life, from playing intramural volleyball to working as a radio DJ for WVBC. “My experiences and time at Bethany laid the foundation for the career I have built these past 18 years.”

After earning a master’s in education from Duquesne University in 2013 and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2022, Dice worked for ten years as a special education teacher in Uniontown. She transitioned to school leadership as principal at Turkeyfoot Valley in 2016, before becoming superintendent in 2020.

At 40, Dice continues to innovate at TVASD, focusing on personalized learning and building strong community partnerships. “By all of us working together, we demonstrate the value of teamwork to our children and can help empower them to achieve their goals,” she said. She’s implemented learning progressions across grades, allowing students to learn at their own pace and foster individuality.

Dice’s leadership has garnered recognition. While teaching in the Uniontown Area School District she was awarded Fayette County Educator of the Year (2010-2011). In 2019, during her principalship at Turkeyfoot School, her school was honored as a Pennsylvania Department of Education “Schools That Teach” school, which included a visit from
Secretary of Education, Pedro Rivera. In 2021, she was recognized by Somerset County Chamber of Commerce and Senator Pat Stefano as Person of the Year for Somerset County for her work with the county superintendents for educational strides during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dice was also honored in 2023 by the Pennsylvania Superintendent Association (PASA) with their Women’s Caucus Wanda McDaniel Award for her leadership and being a leader to watch in education within the state of Pennsylvania. Dice has presented at numerous state and national conferences on educational leadership and academic programs including PETE&C, the SAS Institute, National Mass Customized Learning Conference, and numerous innovation summits.

Outside of education, Dice and her husband, William “Bill” Dice ’05, have three children; Daniel John, William Emmanuel (Manny), and Anna Rose. They dedicate time to their non-profit, Loving Daniel, in memory of their son, Daniel John, who passed away shortly after birth. Their organization provides Cuddle Cots, Caring Cradles, and grief support items to families suffering miscarriage, infant loss, or stillbirth, impacting ten hospitals surrounding Uniontown.

This story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of “Bethany Today Magazine.” Explore the full issue for more stories that celebrate the Bethany community.