Ms. Alicia D. Koster, Superintendent of Schools for the Greater Johnstown School District, was selected to be a panelist for the second annual “Women in the Workforce” event, a career exploration and awareness program held Thursday, March 12 at the HFM BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center.
Koster and other panelists spoke to nearly 200 female high school students from 11 HFM area high schools – including 13 from GJSD – interested in pursuing careers in non-traditional fields. Students heard firsthand from women who are breaking barriers and leading the way in industries historically dominated by men. The goal of the event was to broaden students’ understanding of career possibilities and highlight opportunities they may not have previously considered.
A continued partnership between HFM CTE and the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event is part of their combined Career Support Series which focuses on strengthening regional economic growth and developing the future workforce.
Industry professionals in attendance represented a wide range of non-traditional careers, including automotive technology, law enforcement, construction, culinary arts, criminal justice, HVAC and more. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, non-traditional careers for women are defined as those in which female employment makes up 25% or less of the workforce.
Koster said that participating in the event was truly inspiring.
“What stood out most to me was the level of curiosity, confidence, and engagement demonstrated by the students,” said Koster. “The thoughtful questions they asked and the genuine interest they showed in exploring different career pathways made it clear that our young women are eager to learn, grow, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
“Events like this are incredibly important for our region because they help students see the possibilities that exist beyond the classroom. By connecting them with professionals from a wide range of industries, we are helping them better understand the skills, perseverance, and opportunities that shape today’s workforce. Experiences like this strengthen the bridge between education and career readiness, which is essential for building a strong and vibrant regional economy,” Koster added.
Koster served as GJSD’s Assistant Superintendent for four years before being elevated to the role of Superintendent in 2025. Before serving in Johnstown, Koster held administrative roles in school districts across the state, including executive director for finance & management services and chief financial officer — positions historically dominated by men.
In addition to her role as Superintendent of GJSD, Koster actively participates in several professional organizations, where she serves in leadership positions and engages in advocacy.
She is a member of the state-wide association NYSAWS (New York State Association for Women in Administration) and sits on the Board for the Capital Region affiliate for the organization.
Koster also is an active participant in NYSCOSS (New York State Council of School Superintendents), where she sits on several committees including both the State and Federal Legislative Committees, the LGBTQ+ Alliance Committee, Conference Committee, Curriculum/Instruction Committee, and the Cabinet Committee where professional learning opportunities are designed for cabinet-level administrators.
“My hope is that the young women who attended the “Women in the Workforce” event left feeling empowered and confident in their potential. I want them to know that their voices matter, their ambitions are valid, and there is a place for them in every field they choose to pursue,” she said. “With determination, support, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities, there is truly no limit to what they can achieve.”
‘Women in the Workforce’ is just one of the Career Support Series events to take place this year. Other events scheduled include a skilled trades and engineering event on April 16 at Broadalbin-Perth High School and Career Con for the region’s eighth grade students on April 23 at SUNY FMCC.