{"id":237606,"date":"2025-11-10T07:30:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=237606"},"modified":"2025-11-07T11:53:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T16:53:19","slug":"preparing-the-next-generation-of-school-district-leaders-the-impact-of-uconns-executive-leadership-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/11\/preparing-the-next-generation-of-school-district-leaders-the-impact-of-uconns-executive-leadership-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing the Next Generation of School District Leaders: The Impact of UConn\u2019s Executive Leadership Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Across Connecticut, a growing number of school districts are being shaped by graduates of the University of Connecticut\u2019s\u00a0Executive Leadership Program<\/a> (ELP)\u00a0\u2014 leaders who are redefining what it means to serve with purpose, vision, and equity.<\/p>\n

This year, numerous ELP alumni from various cohorts were newly hired, stepping into superintendent and central office roles that allow them to drive initiatives that improve teaching, strengthen communities, and expand educational opportunities for every student. They include Darren Schwartz \u201909 6th Year, \u201921 ELP; Jeff Wihbey \u201995 (CLAS), \u201906 6th Year, \u201913 ELP; Dave Caruso \u201906 6th Year, \u201923 ELP; Scott Sugarman \u201917 ELP; Iris White \u201924 ELP; and Juan Mendoza \u201919 ELP.<\/p>\n

While the new appointments mark important milestones, they often come after years of preparation and persistence \u2014 a reality well understood by Kelly Lyman \u201992 MA, \u201993 6th Year, \u201910 ELP, Executive Leadership Program coordinator and former superintendent of Mansfield Public Schools: \u201cIt often takes a few years to get their first position because the number of openings is rather small.\u201d<\/p>\n

For many graduates, that period of preparation is when ELP proves most valuable, equipping them with the confidence, vision, and skills needed to lead at the highest levels.<\/p>\n

\"Darren
\u201cThe program gave me the confidence to lead boldly and make systemic change,\u201d says Darren Schwartz \u201909 6th Year, \u201921 ELP, superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools. (Photo courtesy of Waterbury Public Schools)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe program gave me the confidence to lead boldly and make systemic change,\u201d says Schwartz, who is the superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools. \u201cI found tremendous value in the instruction and guidance provided by our faculty \u2014 especially the opportunity to learn from highly effective superintendents who served as guest speakers.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Wihbey, superintendent of Wethersfield Public Schools, who this year began his third superintendent role since graduating from ELP, the program\u2019s systems-thinking approach reshaped how he sees his district.<\/p>\n

\u201cELP helped me see school districts as a system of interacting parts,\u201d he says. \u201cGood leadership sees a district from 35,000 feet and understands the different perspectives and roles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Wihbey, many alumni describe a similar shift in mindset \u2014 one that reshapes how they approach decision-making, collaboration, and systemic change within their districts. These reflections capture a central truth about ELP: its impact goes far beyond earning a certification. It transforms how leaders think and act. That preparation is evident throughout Connecticut.<\/p>\n

For Caruso, superintendent of Bolton Public Schools, the most transformative lessons came from the candid stories of sitting superintendents.<\/p>\n

\u201cHearing how they navigated complex issues like budget, community engagement, and strategic planning broadened my understanding of effective leadership,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is no single path to success \u2014 the program helped me define my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

That blend of shared wisdom and practical experience creates ripple effects across districts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always pull my ELP resources to be a catalyst for my thought process,\u201d says Sugarman, superintendent of Stafford Public Schools. \u201cIt\u2019s also helpful to have a network of new and established superintendents to connect with and problem-solve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

I always pull my ELP resources to be a catalyst for my thought process. It\u2019s also helpful to have a network of new and established superintendents to connect with and problem-solve. — Scott Sugarman \u201917 ELP<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Many graduates describe the program as career-changing, one that deepened their understanding of systems leadership and expanded their sense of purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoursework and real-world examples improved my abilities in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and data-informed decision-making,\u201d says White, superintendent of Bristol Public Schools. \u201cIt made it easier to translate district goals into actionable priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe professors, each a former superintendent, brought real-world knowledge that made every class meaningful,\u201d says Mendoza, deputy superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools. \u201cThe program prepared me through hands-on experiences, including the internship, site visits, and journal reflections.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Iris
\u201cCoursework and real-world examples improved my abilities … it made it easier to translate district goals into actionable priorities,\u201d says Iris White \u201924 ELP, superintendent of Bristol Public Schools. (Defining Studios)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cCertainly, my work in Mansfield as superintendent was possible due to the foundational understandings that I developed in ELP,\u201d Lyman says. \u201cI believe in the program; I can see the impact that it can have, not only in my own work, but in that of so many of my colleagues who are ELP alumni.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyman says she\u2019s continually inspired by the next generation of superintendents coming through the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re preparing you to do the things that those of us who have left the work weren\u2019t able to accomplish,\u201d she says she often tells program participants.<\/p>\n

Inside the Executive Leadership Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

The University of Connecticut\u2019s\u00a0Neag School of Education\u00a0established the\u00a0Executive Leadership Program\u00a0in 2000 to prepare experienced administrators for the highest levels of school district leadership. The\u00a0one-year, 15-credit, cohort-based program\u00a0blends rigorous coursework with authentic, real-world learning experiences, providing the preparation needed to earn the\u00a0Connecticut Superintendent\u2019s Certificate (093)\u00a0and the mindset to lead with vision and equity.<\/p>\n

Through a partnership with the\u00a0Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents<\/a> (CAPSS), participants engage in internships, site visits, and mentorships with sitting superintendents. This collaboration bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering a close-up look at the realities of district leadership.<\/p>\n

\"Kelly
\u201cIf you are interested in continuing to learn, growing your skills as a leader, and understanding the complexities of organizations, then this is a program for you,\u201d says Kelly Lyman \u201992 MA, \u201993 6th Year, \u201910 ELP, Executive Leadership Program coordinator. (Defining Studios)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIf you are interested in continuing to learn, growing your skills as a leader, and understanding the complexities of organizations, then this is a program for you,\u201d Lyman says.<\/p>\n

Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and districts, bringing a wealth of perspectives to the cohort experience. The result is a powerful professional network that continues long after graduation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe networking with colleagues across the state is powerful and creates a bond that lasts for years,\u201d says\u00a0Joseph Macary\u00a0\u201905 ELP, \u201916 Ed.D., superintendent of Vernon Public Schools. \u201cThe internship is the best part of the program \u2014 you get to \u2018see behind the curtain\u2019 of how a district truly operates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2000, ELP has developed hundreds of educational leaders who now serve as superintendents, assistant superintendents, and central office administrators throughout Connecticut and beyond. Together, they\u2019re building stronger leadership pipelines, fostering inclusive decision-making, and leading districts where every student can thrive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are preparing leaders to take on challenges that continue to evolve,\u201d Lyman says. \u201cLeaders who will make meaningful change in their districts and communities for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Neag School of Education\u2019s Executive Leadership Program, visit\u00a0administration.education.uconn.edu\/elp\/about<\/a><\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year, alumni from various cohorts stepped into new superintendent and central office roles that allow them to strengthen communities and expand educational opportunities<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":237608,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[147,1715,2427,2424,1855],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[1879],"class_list":["post-237606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-community-impact","category-educational-leadership","category-neag-community-engagement","category-neag"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-04 10:30:50","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237606"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237606\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237718,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237606\/revisions\/237718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/237608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237606"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=237606"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=237606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}