Board of Director's Monthly Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Board meetings are typically split into two sections. The meeting begins with an open session to which Socrates Academy parents and faculty are welcome to attend and ends with a closed session for active Board members only.
Please join us for a meeting. Our meeting schedule can be found on the school calendar.
Meet Our Board of Directors
John Couchell, President
Mr. John N. Couchell is a co-founder of Socrates Academy. He has served in a number of positions on the Board of Directors including Treasurer and Vice-President prior to assuming the position of President. Mr. Couchell is currently an internal wholesaling specialist with Brighthouse Financial. He is retired from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department where he served in several administrative positions during his 31 years of service. Mr. Couchell has a Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("UNC Chapel Hill"), a Master's degree in Public Administration from UNC Charlotte, and a Master's of Business Administration from Wingate University. Mr. Couchell has also been active at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, serving as President and Treasurer of the parish council and co-chairman for several years of the Yiasou Greek Festival. He is a past-president of the Adelphotis Arahoviton Karyae and most recently served as the Scholarship Chair for the Order of AHEPA.
Dr. Antonis Stylianou, Vice President
Dr. Antonis C. Stylianou is a co-founder of Socrates Academy and has served as Vice President since 2004. He joined the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte in 1990, is the Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Management Information Systems, and holds an affiliate appointment in the School of Data Science. He currently serves as a senior editor for the Database for Advances in Information Systems journal. He has taught courses and delivered seminars at UNC Charlotte, Kent State University, Villanova University, Mannheim University in Germany, Cologne University in Germany, and EGADE (Technologico de Monterrey) in Mexico. Dr. Stylianou received his diploma in Management from the Phillips College of Business Executives in London, England in 1980, his Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in public accounting and economics from Kent State University in 1982 and his Master of Business Administration from Ken State University in 1983. Finally, Dr. Stylianou, Management Information Systems earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Kent State University in 1989, majoring in computer science and accounting.
Ryan Leak, Secretary
Haider Ali, Treasurer
Tim Cannady, Member
Mr. Timothy Cannady is a partner at Leitner, Bragg, and Griffin, PLLC, where he manages the firm’s Charlotte Office. Mr. Cannady’s practice areas include; criminal defense, domestic violence, Title IX representation, and other litigation. Mr. Cannady attended Auburn university for undergrad, after which he moved to Charlotte where he attended law school. After graduating with honors, Mr. Cannady opened his own law firm in Union County, North Carolina focusing on litigation. Mr. Cannady then moved to a larger firm in Charlotte where he became a partner, managing the firm’s criminal, domestic violence, and Title IX practice in several counties. In 2025, Mr. Cannady moved to Leitner, Bragg, and Griffin where he manages those practice areas as well as the Charlotte Office’s operation. Mr. Cannady has instructed and volunteered at several charter and private schools in the Charlotte area, assisting with the high-school mock trial programs and American Justice curriculum. Mr. Cannady is excited to join the Socrates Board.
Klea Miho-Garcia, Member
Ms. Klea Miho began her career in the nonprofit sector, working at the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago. After gaining experience in nonprofit management, she transitioned to for-profit venue sales and operations, working for one of the largest global venue companies, Live Nation. Ms. Miho transitioned to project management in the IT industry, where she is currently responsible for the successful delivery of practice portfolios in large national accounts. She is skilled in contributing to solutions strategy, strategic relationship management, and profitable growth within accounts. Ms. Miho received a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College.
Dr. Zoi Philippakos, Member
Dr. Zoi A. Traga Philippakos, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she also serves as the literacy team leader. Dr. Traga Philippakos conducts research in schools and provides professional development to K to 12 teachers on evidence-based reading and writing practices. She has received the Richard Venezky award for Creative Research in Literacy, the inaugural Alumni Award from the University of Delaware, the Early Career Achievement award from the Literacy Research Association, the Faculty Research Excellence Award from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Chancellor's Honors and Academic Award on Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement. She has published and edited books on evidence-based practices and is the codeveloper of the Developing Strategic Writers (K to 8) and the Supporting Strategic Writers (postsecondary) programs. She has received funding from the Institute of Education Sciences, the state of Tennessee, and educational foundations. Dr. Traga Philippakos has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Reading and Writing, Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Educational Psychology) and has presented her research and findings in national and international conferences. She has been a member of the Socrates Academy Board of Directors and has served on the curriculum committee since 2015.
Dr. Premkumar Pugalenthi, Member
Dr. Premkumar Pugalenthi completed his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics Education (2019) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has both a bachelors (2009) and masters degree (2012) in mechanical engineering. His dissertation, Integration of Engineering in a Middle Grade Mathematics Classroom: A Conceptual Framework for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Integration, showcases his expertise in a high needs educational field as well as his connection to Teaching and Learning. Pugalenthi has extensive experience teaching both at the university and K-12 level. At the university level, he taught undergraduate and graduate science, mathematics, and STEM methods courses, including Foundations of Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Rational Numbers & Operations: K-5 Learning Trajectories. He has delivered courses face-to-face, hybrid/blended, and online. He also brings extensive teaching experience formally and informally working with K-12 students at the middle and secondary levels as a mathematics teacher (Grades 5 – 8) at a local private school in Charlotte and as a research associate with the Center for STEM Education. He serves on the Board of Directors for Socrates Academy among his other service to local, state and national organizations.
Dr. Brenda Bilal, Member, Emeritus
Dr. Brenda Bilal, Ph.D., has been actively involved in Higher Education for many years. As an English Instructor and Learning Communities Program Coordinator, she has been involved in positively impacting the lives of students at Central Piedmont Community College for over 30 years. While at Central Piedmont, she became a Kellogg Fellow and was the recipient of leadership training across the United States. She also completed the requirements for Certification as a Developmental Education Specialist from the National Center for Developmental Education at Appalachian State University. Even though she retired in 2015, she returned to Central Piedmont in 2016 to teach part-time because of her passion for teaching and inspiring students. Dr. Bilal earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin with a concentration in Community College Leadership. Before that, she received her Master's degree from UNC Charlotte and her Bachelor's degree from Fayetteville State University. Since Dr. Bilal enjoys volunteering, mentoring, and working with students at all levels, she was very happy to join the Board of Directors at Socrates Academy when invited to do so.
Dr. Janis Dellinger-Holton, Member, Emeritus
Dr. Janis-Dellinger-Holton is an Adjunct Professor at Queens University of Charlotte. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from East Carolina University, a Master of Arts degree in Education from Duke University, an Educational Specialist degree from Wingate University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Wingate University. Dr. Dellinger-Holton served as the founding principal of the School. For the past nine years, she has served as an Adjunct Professor, first at Wingate University and currently at Queens University. In 2005, Dr. Dellinger-Holton was awarded by Governor Mike Easley the highest honor for a civilian in North Carolina: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Governing Board of Directors Roles and Responsibilities
The Governing Board of the Academy interprets educational policies, delegates administrative duties, and makes decisions on educational and budget matters. They ensure the Academy meets performance standards, conducts assessments, submits required reports, and manages funds judiciously. The Board does not handle daily operations, which are overseen by the Principal.
Board members, selected for their commitment and expertise, include educators, community members, business leaders, and parents, with a total of up to 11 members serving staggered terms for continuity. All members are fingerprinted as required.
The Principal, reporting to the Board, handles daily administration, staffing, and program evaluation. They must have experience in education, budgeting, planning, and implementing school programs.
