(FAIRFAX, VA) Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia (GOTR NOVA) announces that Patty Troppe, Ph.D. has been appointed to the GOTR NOVA Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to have Patty Troppe join our board and use her voice to support our work across the community,” said Christen Smith, GOTR NOVA Board of Directors President. “Patty brings invaluable experience in education research and evidence-based practice, and we are grateful for her commitment to helping more girls across Northern Virginia be joyful, healthy, and confident.”
As a Vice President at Westat, Patty brings a wealth of knowledge related to issues in schools and a passion for using high-quality data to drive policy decisions, contributing to the council’s organizational goals. With over 30 years in education research, she brings extensive knowledge of education data sources, which will help inform GOTR NOVA expansion to more diverse sites, and education-focused funders to help garner more support. Patty holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from The George Washington University.
“I am thrilled to join the GOTR NOVA Board of Directors as the organization heads into its 25th year,” said Patty. “As an education researcher, I am excited to support a program that uses a research-based curriculum to build girls’ confidence and life skills while encouraging physical activity.”
Patty joins the GOTR NOVA Board at a pivotal time as today’s girls are facing a confidence crisis. According to survey findings reported in the 2023 Girls’ Index by Ruling Our Experiences, overall rates of 5th- to 12th-grade girls' confidence have dropped from 68% in 2017 to 55% in 2023, with 5th- and 6th-graders reporting the most significant declines in confidence and self-perception.
Participants in the GOTR program build confidence as they prepare for and complete a 5K celebratory event. In a spring 2024 end-of-season survey, capturing results across councils from coast to coast, 95% of girls said they were more confident, and 94% of coaches said that participants on their team were more confident.
About Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia
Founded in 2000, Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia (GOTR NOVA) offers empowerment programs designed for girls in grades 3-8. The nonprofit helps girls in Northern Virginia build confidence, increase their level of physical activity, and learn essential life skills. Facilitated by trained volunteer coaches, the research-based curriculum explores core topics relevant to 8- to 13-year-olds, including managing emotions, expressing empathy, and standing up for ourselves and others. The program includes a Community Impact Project and culminates with a 5K Celebration. GOTR NOVA is one of more than 160 councils, a part of Girls on the Run International (GOTRI). Since GOTRI was founded in 1996, this national movement has served more than 2.5 million girls in all 50 states and Canada. Visit www.gotrnova.org to learn more.