One year ago, we launched Impact Academy, a year-long fellowship for deans, because we saw a need in the field for programming to build leadership capacity that went beyond just the nuts-and-bolts.

This week, we celebrate our inaugural cohort of 11 fellows as they complete their year-long journey of inquiry and improvement – and are thrilled to announce the 17 fellows in the 2017 Impact Academy cohort:

• Deborah Boyd, Lipscomb University (Tennessee)
• Donna Breault, Ashland University (Ohio)
• Kenith Britt, Marian University (Indiana)
• Ann Bullock, Elon University (North Carolina)
• Parker Fawson, Utah Valley University
• Kyle Finke, Louisiana Resource Center for Educators
• David Fuller, Middle Georgia State University
• John Gasko, University of North Texas at Dallas
• Deirdre C. Greer, Columbus State University (Georgia)
• Merrilou Harrison, Heritage University (Washington)
• Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, American University (Washington D.C.)
• Gaetane Jean-Marie, University of Northern Iowa
• Andrea Lewis, Spelman College (Georgia)
• Shelly Meyers, Limestone College (South Carolina)
• Sara Quay, Endicott College (Massachusetts)
• Doris P. Screws, Alabama State University
• Kim Winter, Western Carolina University (North Carolina)

Bringing together leaders from diverse institutions has always been important to us, but especially since we launched Impact Academy last year.With the 17 fellows in cohort 2, we believe we’ve succeeded in living up to that value. These fellows come from programs in 13 different states and Washington D.C. Seven of the fellows lead programs at public institutions, and one fellow leads an alternative provider. Eleven of their programs are located in urban communities, five in semi-urban locations, and one in a rural community. Together, the fellows’ programs enrolled about 7,400 teacher-candidates in 2013-2014.

But these stats tell only a small part of the story of our cohort 2 fellows. Each fellow is coming to Impact Academy because he or she wants to engage, deeply, with a network of like-minded deans on how to create cultures within their programs that are data informed and outcomes focused. The fellows all have challenges and opportunities that are specific to their individual contexts, but by coming together as a group — first at a four-day in-person learning experience and then in multiple ways over the next year — they hope to support each other in service of developing a vision for educator-preparation programs focused on the learning of candidates and their readiness to teach.

But the fellows can tell you better in their own words why they wanted to be part of Impact Academy. Here’s some of what we heard in their fellowship applications:

“To me, the big question that is both an opportunity and a challenge is: how do we get better at getting better?”

“Applying for this fellowship was a no-brainer. It’s a lonely existence as dean. … I look forward to interactions with a cohort of amazing fellows and receiving their feedback and advice for years to come.”

“We MUST be outcomes focused … This is the true measure of effectiveness – are the students’ academic and nonacademic outcomes improving under the service of our alumni in the field?”

One goal for this fellowship “is to have the time and space to think boldly and strategically about the vision and candidate outcomes for my school of education while building a culture of encouragement and forward momentum with my young faculty.”

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the stories of some of our cohort 2 fellows in more depth, and we’ll follow along on their journey over the next year, sharing lessons learned along the way.

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