District Leadership Institute Class of 2020

Leveraging Change for At-Risk Students Nationwide Through Equity and Access 

The National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) is honored to announce the 2020 District Leadership Institute (DLI) graduating class. NCCEP recognizes these 45 senior education leaders from across the United States for their commitment to increase access to higher education for low-income students through advocacy, training, and research. All the leaders participated in the program as part of their affiliation with the GEAR UP program.

The participants engaged in an intensive 10-month professional learning experience designed to empower them to create, sustain, and strengthen the college-going culture of their school districts. “The future of thousands of students across the United States hold even greater promise because of the resources, best practices, and professional learning experiences these leaders will bring back to their school districts” said NCCEP Interim President & Vice President for Government Relations Alex Chough. “I am extremely proud of this class. Not only are they steadfastly navigating the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in their schools and districts, they are more committed than ever to improving outcomes for all students.”  

Under the DLI, participants joined in five days of professional learning and contributed to a variety of problem-solving discussions face-to-face and online. The class explored case studies, current research, advocacy strategies, and leadership applications created to develop them into agents of systemic change on behalf of students.

A program for the U.S. Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) community, the NCCEP DLI maximizes the talent and leadership skills of district leaders serving GEAR UP grantees. A large portion of the 10-month curriculum engaged the participants in collaborative activities with directors and district leaders of the GEAR UP program. 

"My experience in the District Leadership Institute has broadened my horizons and introduced me to concepts and tools that have improved my practice. I'm thankful to NCCEP for the opportunity to learn more about how I can be a key factor in the successful implementation of our district's GEAR UP grant," Alvin Garrison, Superintendent, Covington (KY) Independent Public Schools.

As the 45-member Class of 2020 prepares to exit the DLI program, a new cohort of more than 40 district leaders is preparing to enter the Class of 2021. 

To learn more about the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships, the District Leadership Institute, and GEAR UP please visit http://www.edpartnerships.org/.

District Leadership Institute Class of 2020

Alabama

Tanzania Goldsmith

GEAR UP Project Director

Birmingham City Schools

Barbara McCoy

Director of Student Services

Bessermer City Board of Education

Alberto Reid

Finance/Budget Analyst

Birmingham City Schools

Angela Watkins

Director of Intervention & Student Support

Jefferson County

Kentucky

Houston Barber

Superintendent

Frankfort Independent Schools

Freddie Bowling

Assistant Superintendent

Pike County Schools

Alvin Garrison

Superintendent

Covington Independent

Louisiana

Dr. Raquel Ayles

Chief Academic Officer

Algiers Charter Schools

Dr. Sundy Barjon

Professional School Counselor, Edna Karr High School

Inspire NOLA

Michelle Evans

Graduation Counselor, Lagrange High School

Calcasieu Parish School Board

Gordan Ford

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer

Lincoln Preparatory School

Mary Qualey

Principal

Lafayette Parish School System

Leslie Stuart

Supervisor of Instruction

Iberia Parish School District

Julia Williams

Principal

Lafayette Parish School System

Tiffany Henderson

Counselor, Edna Karr High School

Inspire NOLA

Marcus Hodges

Principal, Landry-Walker High School

Algiers Charter Schools

Montana

Tyler Cheesman

Counselor

St. Regis School

Jennifer Pruitt

GEAR UP Liaison

St. Regis School

Joe Steele

Superintendent

St. Regis School

North Carolina

Dr. LaKeshia Payton

GEAR UP Director

Fayetteville State University

Oklahoma

Rick Cobb

Superintendent

Mid-Del Public Schools

Cordell Ehrich

Executive Director of Secondary Instruction

Mid-Del Public Schools

Cecilia Robinson Woods

Superintendent

Millwood Public Schools

Don Sjoberg

Superintendent

Poteau Public School

Jeanette Smith

Superintendent

Eufaula Public School

Texas

Irma Andrade

Assistant Director for Student Accountability

Rio Grande City, CISD

Ken Baugh

Superintendent

Culberson County Allamoore Independent School District

Dr. Stephanie Camarillo

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Lockhart Independent School District

David Canales

Executive Director of Middle School Instruction

United Independent School District

Alma Cavazos

Project Director

Region One Education Services Center

Ty Davidson

Executive Director of Middle School Operations

Austin ISD

Naomi Esparza

Director of Academics-Middle Schools

Ysleta Independent School District

Carmen Esquivel

College & Career Readiness Supervisor

Edinburg CISD

Dr. Charlotte Ford

Assistant Superintendent for Academics

Cedar Hill Independent School District

Dr. Susana Garza

Superintendent of Schools

Jim Hogg County Independent School District

Barbara Gonzales

GEAR UP Director

Vanguard Academy

Tellauance Graham

Assistant Superintendent

Cedar Hill Independent School District

Sheila Henry

Executive Director of High School Operations

Austin ISD

Michelle Kehrwald

Director of Advance Academics

Ysleta Independent School District

Catherine Kennedy

Associate Superintendent

Ysleta Independent School District

Ricardo Lee Lopez, Jr.

Education Specialist

Region One Education Services Center

Nicole Saenz

Project Director

Region One Education Services Center

Alejos Salazar

Superintendent

La Villa ISD

Elizabeth Severance

GEAR UP Austin Project Director

Austin Independent School District

Lana Smith

Director of Student Services

Livingston Independent School District