•

Council Selects 11 Educators to Join the Urban Executive Leadership Institute

  • The Council of the Great City Schools has selected 11 senior-level education administrators to participate in the third cohort of the Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Superintendents.

    Named after the Council’s longtime former executive director, the Institute is rooted in preparing urban educators, particularly those from underrepresented populations, with the skills and expertise necessary to successfully lead a large urban school system. The Institute connects aspiring superintendents with current and past Council member superintendents, who will provide them with advice, guidance, and shadowing opportunities. Participants receive a realistic look at what the role of an urban school superintendent entails, attending sessions on school board relations, academics, media relations, operations, finances, and labor relations.

    The Institute was launched in 2023 and since its inception 20 individuals have completed the program, with two going on to become superintendents and two serving as interim superintendents. “By providing cohort participants with the tools, resources, and support they need, the Institute is helping to build a strong pipeline of educators who can serve as urban school superintendents,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart.

    “We have a great incoming class that is eager to learn how they can embrace the successes of past superintendents and address current challenges urban schools face today,” said Michael Hinojosa, the Council’s Superintendent-in-Residence, who oversees the program. “I look forward to working with this diverse cohort during the coming months and supporting them on their journeys to becoming effective district leaders.”

    The members of the third cohort are:

    • Dr. Tashanda Brown-Cannon, Chief Academic Officer, Orange County Public Schools
    • Dr. Kathy Dodd, Deputy Superintendent, Tulsa Public Schools
    • Dr. Corey Grubbs, Chief of Transformation and Leadership, Columbus City Schools
    • Dr. Nathalie Henderson, Executive Vice President, Teach for America
    • Jusmar Maness, Chief Academic Officer, Guilford County Schools
    • Shaylia McRae, Deputy Superintendent, Hillsborough County Public Schools
    • Dr. Lorraine Perez, Deputy Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School District
    • Pedro Salcido, Deputy Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District
    • Dr. Anthony Smith, Deputy Superintendent, Denver Public Schools
    • Luis Solano, Deputy Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District
    • Ed Tierney, Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Schools, School District of Palm Beach County

    Programming for the 2025 cohort will begin in February with monthly sessions held through October 2025.