In a daring transfer to handle the stark underrepresentation of minorities and ladies at school district management, Southern College A&M School has established the
The initiative, developed in partnership with HYA Search, comes at a important time when solely 5% of public college superintendents are ladies or from Black or Latino backgrounds. The ten-week program, which incorporates each digital and on-campus parts at Southern’s Baton Rouge campus, will present individuals with graduate credit score hours upon completion.
“Our aim is to not solely put together expert leaders for the superintendency, but additionally to assist improve the range of these leaders, which is important for creating equitable, inclusive college methods nationwide,” stated Southern College A&M School Chancellor John Okay. Pierre. “The advantages are far-reaching.”
The academy’s curriculum aligns with Skilled Requirements for Instructional Leaders (PSEL) and covers important competencies together with district operations, budgeting, board relations, communications, and neighborhood engagement. Notably, this system options mentorship from veteran superintendents of colour, together with Dr. Constance Evelyn, former Valley Stream 13 superintendent, and Dr. Sito Narcisse, former East Baton Rouge Parish College System superintendent and managing associate of SJ Apple Consulting Group. Dr. Charles Foust, former superintendent of New Hanover Faculties in North Carolina, can even function a mentor.
Dr. Emily Jackson-Osagie, interim director of Southern College’s College of Schooling, highlighted this system’s distinctive place as a part of the nation’s solely HBCU system.
“We offer a helpful alternative for educators to attach with distinctive leaders and friends, whereas participating in thought-provoking discussions that foster important management improvement,” she stated.
This system, branded as a “Management Stage Up,” is particularly designed to bridge the hole between classroom management and district-wide administration. It provides individuals sensible expertise in dealing with day-to-day district operations whereas constructing essential relationships with college boards and neighborhood stakeholders.
For aspiring superintendents, significantly these from underrepresented communities, the academy represents extra than simply skilled improvement. It provides a pathway to management positions which have traditionally been troublesome to entry. This system’s construction, combining digital studying with two on-site classes at Southern’s Baton Rouge campus, makes it accessible to educators nationwide whereas sustaining the private connection important for significant mentorship.
The Academy welcomes a broad spectrum of instructional professionals, together with aspiring superintendents, these of their first or second 12 months of superintendency, veteran college educators, and Central Workplace workers. This inclusive method goals to create a various studying neighborhood the place individuals can share experiences and construct skilled networks that stretch past this system’s length.
“The superintendent’s function is more and more advanced and demanding,” notes Jackson-Osagie. “Our program acknowledges these challenges and gives focused help by skilled mentors who’ve efficiently navigated comparable paths.”
Functions for the inaugural cohort are at present being accepted, with versatile fee choices accessible to make this system extra accessible to educators at varied profession phases. The college has created a devoted web site, www.suleaderlevelup.com, the place candidates can discover detailed program info and submit their functions.
As this system launches this Spring, college leaders stated that it marks a big step ahead in Southern College’s dedication to instructional fairness and management improvement, doubtlessly reshaping the demographic panorama of faculty district management throughout the nation.
