Urban Superintendents Academy
Empowering Urban Leaders for Over a Decade
Children deserve leaders who can equip them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in real life, achieve meaningful success, and pursue a future they choose.
Leading districts that serve diverse communities with broad socio-economic representation demands a unique skillset. The complexity is real. So is the impact. Success requires more than good intentions — it requires effective communication and relationship-building across teachers, administrators, students, parents, and the entire community while maintaining unwavering focus on access and student outcomes.
If you're considering a position where you'll lead a district serving large and diverse populations, this program is designed to develop and support you.
Academy Details
AASA offers two cohorts of the Urban Superintendents Academy in collaboration with two premier universities:
Applications are due by August 1, 2026
The AASA-Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy is recognized as one of the premier programs in the country. The academy aims to address disparities in educational leadership by cultivating a network of leaders ready to assume superintendent roles, especially in districts with large and diverse populations.
Complete academy schedule can be found below.
Applications are due by August 1, 2026
The AASA-USC Rossier Urban Superintendents Academy is a program designed to support current and aspiring superintendents as they navigate the complexities of equity-centered leadership in school districts. Participants gain the knowledge, insights, skills and practices needed to make a lasting meaningful impact as superintendent.
Complete academy schedule can be found below.
Just 10% of our nation’s superintendents are persons of color. This program is also thoughtfully designed to change that.
Through our partnership with Howard University and USC Rossier, you'll gain the strategies urban leadership demands:
- Expert Knowledge: Learn from the nation's top thought leaders who understand urban education's distinct landscape.
- 21st-Century Leadership Skills: New approaches to community relations, district politics, and student-centered decision-making.
- Real-World Application: Develop concrete action plans you can implement immediately.
- Mentorship and Community: Join a supportive network of peers and mentors who share your commitment to navigating complexity while centering student success in every decision.
Academy Dates
In-Person Meeting Dates
- Friday, August 14, 2026, from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, Washington, D.C.: Bold Urban Leadership Summit
- February 9 and 10, 2027, Atlanta, Ga.: Overview of Urban Schools and School Boards
- May 14 and 15, 2027, Alexandria, Va., Capstone/Final Session
Virtual Meeting Dates
All virtual meetings occur from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET.
- Saturday, September 26, 2026 - Critical Educational Issues Facing the Modern Urban Superintendent (Part I)
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 - Critical Issues Facing the Modern Superintendent (Part II)
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 - Community, Media Relations, and the Politics of the Urban Superintendency
- Saturday, December 12, 2026 - Urban Leadership (Part I)
- Saturday, January 23, 2027 - Urban Leadership (Part II)
- Saturday, March 20, 2027 - Goal Attainment and the Practical Realities of Becoming an Urban Superintendent
- Saturday, April 17, 2027 - Strategic Planning and Thinking through an Antiracist Lens
In-Person Meeting Dates
- September 18 - 19, 2026 - Leadership Retreat at USC Campus in Los Angeles, Calif.
- February 9 - 10, 2027 - Before AASA's 2027 National Conference on Education in Atlanta, Ga.
Virtual Meeting Dates
All virtual meetings occur from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. PST.
- September 14, 2026 - Online Program Orientation
- September 28, 2026 - Session 1: Changing Face of Public Education & The Urban District
- October 12, 2026 - Session 2: Vision, Mission and Strategic Planning
- October 26, 2026 - Session 3: The Superintendent and Elected/Appointed Board, Part 1
- November 9, 2026 - Session 4: Building a Professional Culture for Teachers and Staff
- November 30, 2026 - Session 5: Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Part 1
- December 14, 2026 - Session 6: Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Part 2
- January 11, 2027 - Session 7: Community Engagement, Part 1
- January 25, 2027 - Session 8: Community Engagement, Part 2
- February 2026 - Session 9: The Superintendent and Elected/Appointed Board Part 2
- February 9 - 10, 2027 - Session 10: AASA/NCE conference in Nashville - Overview of Urban Districts and School Boards
- February 22, 2027 - Session 11: Ethical Principles Professional Norms
- March 8, 2027 - Session 12: Caring and Inclusive School Community
- March 22, 2027 - Session 13: Unions, Charters, Mayors: How to Lead Through Adversity
- April 5, 2027 - Session 14: Operations & Management and the Urban Leader, Part 1
- April 19, 2027 - Session 15: Operations & Management and the Urban Leader, Part 2
- May 3, 2027 - Session 16: Becoming an Urban Superintendent
- May 10, 2027 - Session 17: Leading to Transform
Academy Leads
Partners
The Rossier School of Education at USC has a long and proud legacy of training educational leaders who serve in school districts throughout the nation. Through our partnership with AASA we are able to bring our expertise to prepare a new generation of urban district leaders to confront the most complex challenges facing schools today.
Pedro Noguera
If you want to be a change agent, if you want to see all children be successful, and more importantly, those children who historically have been disadvantaged, if you want to push your own thinking and your own perception of reality, then you need to join the urban superintendents program.
Kimberly Mackey
Details
August 14, 2026 to May 15, 2027
See Academy Details and Dates section for additional information and application links.
Contact
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Jessica Gordon
Program Manager, Leadership Network
AASA, The School Superintendents Association
703-875-0704
12th Annual AASA/Howard/USC-Rossier Urban Superintendents Academy- Urban Summit
The 2026 Bold Urban Leadership Summit will take place August 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Registration opens soon!
