The 2024-2025 cohort of District Leadership Fellows has completed their year-long program, during which they:
- Developed their leadership capacity via personal and professional growth
- Enhanced their skills to better serve students, staff and the community
- Gained expertise to more effectively develop and nurture new leaders
- Collaborated with other leaders, gained new perspectives and expanded their professional networks
Going into the program, Mr. Ryan Steele, Executive Director of School Leadership and Innovation at Plano ISD, said “The District Leadership Fellows program caught my eye because it’s all about developing leaders and creating a space where leaders can learn together, no matter which district, large or small, they are from.”
Looking back, Mrs. Tyisha Nelson, Senior Executive Director of Federal Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Royse City ISD, said “The SMU Institute for Leadership Impact program not only emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and continuous improvement – encouraging you to seek out new experiences, embrace feedback, and adapt to changing circumstances – but also provides an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
Dr. Bryan Williams, Community Superintendent-Secondary Schools at Spring Branch ISD, appreciated being able to share what he learned in the program with other leaders in his district, saying “I enjoy learning and applying what I am learning to increase my knowledge and skills and sharing what I am learning to build the capacity of others to lead more effectively.”
Networking and collaboration were another facet of the program appreciated by the cohort. As Dr. Gayle Smith made the transition from serving a district to supporting multiple districts she said “I have found immense value in the collaborative and innovative instructional activities that promote deep, reflective thinking. Engaging with district leaders from diverse roles and district types has been particularly impactful, as their feedback and insights have expanded my perspectives and enriched my understanding of leadership challenges and solutions.”
Summing up the program, Dr. Dimitri Garcia, Executive Director of Human Capital at Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, said “Whatever your professional goals or needs are, this fellowship will help empower you in developing a plan of action to achieve it. You will be surrounded by intelligent, compassionate, capable individuals, who are practitioners and are dealing with similar issues. Hands down, this has been the best leadership program I have ever had the opportunity to take part in. It is well worth your time and commitment.”
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 cohort of District Leadership Fellows! We are proud of you and wish you continued success and growth on your leadership journeys.
Interested in joining the next cohort to build your professional network and develop your leadership skills? Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn