Top education professionals from around Indiana will help form the next generation of educational leadership through a new advisory board.

The Leadership Education Advisory Board (LEAB) supports the Educational Leadership Program at the IU School of Education in maintaining a high-quality curriculum that is relevant to the needs of K-12 education practitioners, according to Chad Lochmiller, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department Chair. Board members provide regular feedback and strategic counsel to program faculty on curriculum and assessments that align to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Program Standards. Members also review the expectations for interns who are completing the required field experience to ensure that they are prepared for their leadership roles.

“The advisory board serves as the primary point of connection between our program and the broader field of educational leadership,” Lochmiller added. “By soliciting feedback on a regular basis, it helps our graduate and licensure program maintain a strong practice-based focus. Leaders prepared by our program not only need to be able to think deeply about complex leadership issues but also act swiftly to address these issues during their initial leadership positions."

“We know how important it is to engage and learn from K-12 school leaders across Indiana,” Dean Anastasia Morrone said. “The feedback we receive from this board will help us ensure that our program will meet the needs of the next generation of educational leaders.”

The Educational Leadership Program is currently undergoing accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Faculty have developed field-based assessments and completely revised the internship model to better prepare candidates for administrative licensure. The new assessments and internship expectations ensure that graduates of IU’s program exceed national leadership standards.

Board membership includes accomplished educational leaders and scholars with a wide range of expertise. The members are appointed for a period of two years and include both alumni and non-alumni members.

Board members include:

• Markay Winston, Assistant Superintendent, Monroe County Community School Corporation
• Kent DeKonick, Superintendent, Greenwood Community Schools
• Laura Hammack, Superintendent, Beech Grove City Schools
• Scott Robison, Superintendent, Zionsville Community Schools
• Sandi Cole, Director, IU Center on Education & Lifelong Learning
• Shenia Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, HR, MSD Wayne Township
• Gary Crow, Professor Emeritus, IU School of Education
• Brooke Worland, Assistant Superintendent, Franklin Community Schools