Rural superintendents occupy a complex leadership role.
They’re responsible for setting a vision, executing a strategy, and motivating those around them, all with limited resources. The SMU District Leadership Fellows program enhances rural district leaders’ leadership capacity in these areas and beyond. The program provides participants with leadership tools and peer-support to create and sustain effective strategies for the unique change projects they envision for their communities.
Key Components:
- Peer network building. Participants network with and learn from a diverse cohort of peer superintendents from rural Texas school districts.
- Leadership support. Participants engage with peers, SMU faculty, and renowned North Texas education experts to receive personalized feedback and hone their leadership skills.
- Personal strengths. Evidence-based strengths assessments are used to help participants further enhance their leadership skills.
- Innovation. Participants apply what they have learned to a capstone project focused on a real-world challenge within their districts.
Program Fees:
Participants are asked to pay a materials fee of $300. Program fees are heavily subsidized through private donations and community support.
Program Timeline:
| April 1, 2019
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Applications open
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| May 15, 2019
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Rural Superintendent Leadership Symposium –
Current cohort members will share out on their district change projects. Interested applicants and others interested in rural education are invited to attend.
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| June-July 2019
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Interviews & Selection
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| September 2019
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Kick Off at SMU
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| October – December 2019
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Fall Cohort Meetings
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| January 2020
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Midyear Retreat at SMU
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| February – April 202
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Spring Cohort Meetings
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| May 2020 | Program Close at Rural Superintendent Leadership Symposium |
Still Have Questions?
Contact us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu.