For 20 years, School Leaders Institute has helped shape the future of education in Virginia

For two decades, Virginia Tech’s School Leaders Institute has been a transformative force in education. More than three-quarters of Virginia’s school divisions have sent participants, 30 of the institute’s graduates are serving as superintendents, and hundreds more are making their marks in school administration.

“Since its very start, the institute has been the premier professional development program for new school leaders in Virginia,” said Franklin County Superintendent Kevin Siers, who was a member of the first cohort and went on to earn his doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies. “It has helped hundreds of current school administrators develop the skills and knowledge needed in order to make public education a positive experience for students and families throughout the commonwealth.”

Susan E. Short, associate vice president for engagement in Outreach and International Affairs, said the institute — which includes the Recently Appointed Administrators and Aspiring Superintendents programs — has played a crucial role in strengthening the fabric of communities across the state.

“By bolstering educational leaders, we’re not only enhancing the quality of our schools but also invigorating our communities and fostering a ripple effect of positive change,” she said. “This is a testament to our land-grant mission, which is dedicated to leveraging university resources and expertise to meet the needs of our society. Investing in these leaders means investing in a brighter future for all Virginians.”

The institute, which gives administrators the tools and confidence to be successful school leaders, was developed 20 years ago by former Roanoke City Schools Superintendent E. Wayne Harris, former Salem Schools Superintendent N. Wayne Tripp, and others — with support from the Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement, the School of Education, the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, and the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium.

Harris said getting administrators out of their school buildings and together in person to reflect and actively engage in their own learning is a major component of their leadership development.

“Networking with their peers who are facing the same issues and concerns is time and again cited by participants as one of the program’s greatest strengths,” Harris said. “By engaging with members of their cohort, each participant has the opportunity to develop the confidence and vision needed to drive positive change necessary to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education.”

Tripp, who also has been a faculty member in the School of Education and along with Harris continues as a leader of the institute, said schools are in the people business. “There must be a partnership among parents, teachers, students, and the community at large,” he said. “School leaders serve to enable that partnership while they keep what is best for students as their North Star in all that they do.” 

Meanwhile, they also have to advocate for, secure, and distribute resources; see to it that the buses run on time; make sure students get fed breakfast and lunch; and work to make their schools safe places for all.

“It's not a role for everyone, but these programs provide you with the tools to do it well,” said Jessica Cromer, who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science in 2003 and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2005. She attended both of the institute’s programs — Recently Appointed Administrators in 2012 followed by  Aspiring Superintendents in 2019. Last year, she was named superintendent at Floyd County Public Schools. 

“Both experiences were so valuable to my development as an educational leader,” she said. “I frequently reference experiences and lessons from the programs in my daily decision-making. I also made connections with other school leaders and learned from some real superstars in the education field.”

Gerard Lawson, interim director of the School of Education, said for the past 20 years, the institute has made profound positive impacts on the lives of students across Virginia by cultivating a network of highly skilled and dedicated school administrators.

“The institute’s graduates, including many current superintendents, continue to drive educational excellence and innovation across the commonwealth and the country, embodying the university’s mission of leadership and service,” he said.

Reflections and connections

The School Leaders Institute is offered through the Roanoke Center, part of Outreach and International Affairs, and accepts about 70 participants each year.

Interactive, in-person sessions are led by Tripp and Harris as well as other veteran administrators, including Michelle Day, a former principal in Henrico County, and Lois Graham, a former deputy superintendent and principal at Montgomery County Public Schools.

Their veteran perspective is paired with guest presentations from Virginia Tech faculty members, current and former superintendents, school administrators, and teachers.

“The content, the experienced panelists, the activities, and the conversations with the instructors and other leaders from all over Virginia broadened my perspective,” said Albemarle County Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Haas, who earned his doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies at Virginia Tech in 2002.

Multiple-day sessions held several times over the school year at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center give participants time away from their schools to reflect and develop their leadership skills while also building relationships with other school leaders from across Virginia — connections that will provide support for the rest of their careers.

Administrators admit that it would take years to build a similar network of colleagues and mentors on their own.

“The opportunity to network and learn from colleagues from across Virginia is an invaluable resource for immediate application and future situations,” said Ken Nicely Ed.D. ’12, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools who attended the institute in 2006.

Scott Weimer, executive director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives, said the institute is one of the many ways the university’s network of Commonwealth Campus Centers in Roanoke, Richmond, Newport News, and Abingdon work to fulfill the university’s land-grant mission. Immersive programs like the School Leaders Institute help create mutually beneficial community partnerships and provide professional development opportunities for the regional and state workforce.

“The impact of this program is far-reaching; it empowers leaders to create supportive, thriving environments for students, teachers, and families,” he said. “This institute exemplifies how strategic, focused professional development can yield lasting benefits for our educational system and the broader community.”

Building toward the future

Rockbridge County Public Schools Superintendent Philip Thompson said the institute offers an excellent foundation for prospective or current administrators to determine their next steps.

“Taking part helped solidify my desire to become a division superintendent. I was unsure when I entered the program, but at the end of the year, I knew I was as ready to take on the challenge,” he said. “Some decide the administrative career may not be for them. However, those who choose to move forward will leave with a solid base of knowledge and career contacts from which they can glean even more knowledge when needed.”

Similarly, Kristy Somerville-Midgette, former president of Virginia Association of School Superintendents, said her experience as a member of the 2018 class helped her gain confidence, leading to her current role as superintendent of Brunswick County Public Schools.

Cromer, who said she wouldn’t have had the same opportunities to serve students and staff had she not attended the institute, said that many of her colleagues are also alumni and want to pass that experience on to their staffs.

“We’re now sending the next generation of school leaders to the institute, because we know firsthand how beneficial the experience is for the future of our schools,” she said.