New Leaders National Aspiring Principal Fellowship Program Explored in Management Course Case Study

Dec. 13, 2023 – New Leaders, the leading nonprofit organization for educational leadership development, has been selected as a subject for a case study by the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The case study will be featured in the course Transforming Education through Entrepreneurship, highlighting New Leaders innovative approach to leadership training in the education sector.

“We are honored that our work will be explored in this case study – it's a testament to the relentless pursuit of educational excellence and equity that drives our work every day,” said Jean Desravines, CEO of New Leaders. "Our journey has been about adapting and innovating to ensure that every child, irrespective of their background, has access to leaders who believe in their potential and can transform those beliefs into tangible educational success. We are committed to developing leaders who can transform schools into vibrant, inclusive communities where every student thrives."

The Stanford case study explores the strategic challenges and opportunities that New Leaders experienced in scaling the National Aspiring Principal Fellowship. The Fellowship is an online principal certification and master’s degree program designed to prepare the next generation of equity-focused school leaders who better reflect the students they serve. 

Developed in partnership with two preeminent minority-serving institutions—Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University—the Fellowship is uniquely designed with a primary focus on teachers of color. The Fellowship allows aspiring principals to apply their new professional learning immediately in their own schools and in their current roles. Fellows then hone their leadership skills via rigorous coursework, expert coaching from successful school leaders, and a virtual learning platform that offers a highly interactive user experience. 

The case study spotlights how New Leaders ensured the quality of the Fellowship while growing it into one of the largest principal preparation programs for teachers of color in the country. The case study also highlights how the organization adapted its strategy in response to external challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the social justice movement following George Floyd's murder, and changing dynamics within the U.S. teaching profession.

The full case study can be accessed here. 

‍

###

About New Leaders

New Leaders is redefining how schools are led. New Leaders builds the capacity of equity-minded school leaders who are committed to the success of every child. Our leaders remove barriers to success for underestimated and underserved students, supporting students in fully realizing their futures as the next generation of great thinkers, innovators, and leaders for our society. In 20 years, we have trained more than 8,000 equity-focused leaders—sixty percent of whom identify as leaders of color. Our leaders impact more than two million students in our K-12 school system annually and serve as powerful and positive forces for change in their communities.