Twenty-eight leaders from 22 school districts are among the 2024-2025 Institute for Leadership Impact’s District Leadership Fellows cohort who recently attended the Fall Retreat on the SMU campus.
Dr. Eric G. Bing, Director of the Institute, says the purpose of the Fellows program is to help participants be more effective in their leadership roles. “Generally, these are superintendents or part of executive teams making decisions for entire districts. We give them the tools to collaborate and work to solve issues they have in their districts.”
Since its inception in 2016-2017, the cohort has provided training for 134 leaders from 108 school districts in 7 states. Districts have ranged in size from 150 to 63,000 students. This year the program welcomed leaders from throughout Texas and Arkansas. Leaders from ISDs and, charter schools are part of the current cohort. Superintendents like Dr. Bobbie Treviño from Zapata County ISD, says, “It was important for me to participate in a program that will elevate me as a leader so that I can go back to my district and share what I’ve learned to help build strong leadership on all levels at home.”
The program has steadily increased in diversity. The first cohort was 92% male, 100% white and all were superintendents in rural districts in Texas. The current cohort is 71% female, 46% people of color occupying diverse district leadership roles in Texas and Arkansas. While a number still come from small or rural districts, an increasing number of leaders from larger, suburban districts are attending. To best meet the needs of leaders, the program is now fully hybrid with in-person sessions at the beginning and mid-year periods, weekly interactive sessions online in the fall, and monthly online sessions in the spring.
Each year the program begins with leaders examining the mission and purpose and learning how to best utilize their individual and team strengths. The communication technique Active Listening is taught using multiple methods including Mursion simulations. Throughout the program, each leader focuses on creating impact in their district, applying the skills and techniques learned in the sessions to a problem of practice in their districts.
Dr. Bryan Williams, Community Superintendent of Secondary Schools in the Spring Branch ISD said he was excited to attend after hearing about the program from a colleague. “A leader in my school district recommended this program very highly. The program and SMU have such excellent reputations.” Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will open in spring 2025. Contact Christine Ferguson at cjferguson@smu.edu to be added to the mailing list and notified when applications open.
