Academy Director

AVA “BARIKA” MARSHALL-LIGON

Ava R. Marshall-Ligon is originally from Chicago, Illinois but has lived in Gary , Indiana for many years. Her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education/Consumer and Family Sciences is from Purdue University, her graduate degree in Elementary Education is from Indiana University, K-12 Counseling License was obtained from Purdue University Calumet and her K-12School
Administration License is from Indiana University Northwest. Mrs. Ligon is a retired teacher, counselor and principal from Gary Community School Corporation. She became very interested in STARBASE and the possibility of how students in her community and neighboring communities could be positively impacted by the hands-on, enriching activities that STARBASE offers students. Thus, her desire to see children learn and grow in STEM prompted her desire to be a part of STARBASE’s rich STEM experience for students. Ava is married to Colonel (RET) Richard Ligon. Together they have three sons and many grandchildren. They breed and raise Akita’s, presently they have Mercy, a white female Akita. She also loves gardening, growing orchids indoors, horses, cooking, listening to gospel music and decorating. She also loves traveling and has traveled to many countries as well as to many states in the US.