AK Suggs Horlock

Rising Warriors

Doctor of Education in Professional Studies

Madison, MS

AK was born and raised outside of Houston, Texas, where she developed a lifelong love for learning and sports. After graduating with honors from the University of Mississippi, she began her journey in education with Teach For America, serving in Marks, Mississippi. During her four years there, she taught Spanish, English, English Remediation, and Oral Communication, while also coaching volleyball, cross-country, and track & field. One of her proudest moments was when her track team won the Mississippi North State Championship — a memory she still calls one of the best days of her life.

In 2019, she earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at Delta State in 2018, then returned to Houston to serve as a Literacy Specialist at YES Prep North Forest High School, supporting Tier III learners, English Language Learners, students with 504 plans, and dyslexic students. She also helped launch and formalize the school’s academic tier process before transitioning into a Dean of Students role.

Currently, AK is a Literacy/Instructional Specialist at Ridgeland High School. She is also a doctoral candidate at Delta State University and proudly serves as a second-time Fellow in the TFA Graduate Fellows Program, continuing to refine her leadership and deepen her impact.

Fellowship Project: Rising Warriors

AK’s social entrepreneurship project, Rising Warriors, was launched in 2017 to develop leadership skills in students at risk of dropping out of high school — especially those lacking access to meaningful extracurricular or mentorship experiences. The project began by identifying students in need of greater support and creating small-group leadership sessions focused on confidence building, communication, resilience, and goal-setting.

Over time, the project has grown to include community engagement opportunities, peer mentorship pairings, and targeted interventions aimed at improving school connectedness. In collaboration with fellow educator Leigh Nunez, AK helped co-lead the Ridgeland High Executive Council, uniting student leaders across campus organizations for monthly workshops in leadership, time management, and collaboration.

Rising Warriors continues to thrive, expanding its reach and deepening its impact on students' academic and personal development. AK’s long-term goal is to make this model replicable across other schools in Mississippi — helping more students see the best in themselves and rise into their potential as future leaders.