Principal- Dr. Alicia Hodal

I am incredibly honored to serve as the principal of Swansboro Middle School and to be part of the Pirate community.

My journey in education began just outside of Chicago, where I was born and raised. I started my career as a high school math teacher and coach at West Aurora High School. During that time, I quickly realized how much I loved not only teaching students, but also building relationships, supporting school culture, and being part of the larger work that helps a school grow.

As I continued in education, I earned my master’s degree in School Administration from Northern Illinois University in 2015 and my Education Specialist degree from Northern Illinois University in 2017. During this time, I had the opportunity to move into school leadership, serving as Dean of Students at West Aurora High School. That role helped shape my passion for supporting students, partnering with families, and helping create a school environment where students feel both cared for and held to high expectations.

As the spouse of a retired Marine, my career has taken me to several different places, and I have had the privilege of serving students and families in Illinois, California, Japan, and North Carolina. After my time in Illinois, I served as an Assistant Principal at Lompoc High School in California before moving to Okinawa, Japan, where I returned to the classroom to teach math and coach at Kadena High School. Eventually, our journey brought us to North Carolina, where I served as a math teacher and Assistant Principal at Jacksonville High School here in Onslow County.

Each stop along the way has taught me something important about students, families, teachers, leadership, and school communities. Those experiences ultimately led me to Swansboro Middle School, and I could not be more grateful to now call SBMS home. This will be my ninth year as a school administrator, and I am excited to continue working with our students, staff, families, and community to make sure every child feels supported, challenged, and celebrated.

I earned my doctoral degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2026, and I remain committed to growing as a leader and serving the SBMS community with pride.

Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, golfing, going to the beach, reading, working out, and spending time with my husband and our two children, Alessia and Robert.

Dr. Alicia Hodal
Principal, Swansboro Middle School
alicia.hodal@onslow.k12.nc.us