ASCEND PRE K-12 LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Overview

The Ascend PreK-12 Leadership Program is a cohort-based six-month program guides educators in effectively leading schools and school districts in a constantly evolving landscape. Academic leaders, teachers, coordinators, supervisors, directors, and deans are encouraged to apply. Presentations and activities focus on leadership theory, educational policy and organizational management, with topics covering foundations of PreK-12 educational leadership, financials, operations and safe school management for school leaders, effective communication and technology, educational policy and advocacy issues, advice and insights for aspiring principals, and navigating the superintendent career path. Participants will engage in principal and superintendent career development for serving within PreK-12 schools and districts.  Please click here to access and download the program brochure.  

Main Topic Areas 

Several topics will be covered during the six-month program. They include:

  • Foundations of Pre K-12 Educational Leadership
  • Financial, Operations, and Safe School Management
  • Effective Communication and Technology
  • Pre K-12 Educational Policy and Advocacy Issues
  • Advice and Insights for Aspiring Principals
  • Navigating the Superintendent Career Path

Program Structure

During the six month program, participants will complete a seminar and webinars that will begin in October and end in March each year. In addition, participants will complete an online orientation and attend the HACU's Pre K-12/Higher Education Collaboration Symposium and the Annual Conference as part of the program requirements. Please click herefor the program brochure.

Minimum Participant Section Requirements are: 

  • Professional Experience: At least five years of full-time Pre K-12 education experience.
  • Educational Background: Completion of at least a bachelor's degree. 
  • Supervisory Experience: Currently serving in a supervisory position or two years of previous supervisor experience. 

Application season is open now.  Submission deadline is Friday, June 6, 2025.  Please click here to download the application.

Selection Process

A selection committee will review all submissions. 

Program Costs

Program cost per participant from a HACU-member institution is $3,000 and covers all program materials, HACU conference registration and selected meals. Participants will be responsible for any additional costs associated with lodging and travel to and from the program activities, meals not covered by program and incidentals. Applications/nominations from non-HACU-member institutions are also welcome and their program cost is $5,000.

Graduation

Participants receive a certificate upon completion of the program.

More Information

Individuals with questions about the program are encouraged to contact Dr. Paul Machen, Senior Executive Director of Professional Leadership and Student Programs, at leadership@hacu.net or at (210) 576-3229.


The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU programs and services are available to all students, faculty, and staff at HACU-member institutions. The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California and Chicago, Illinois.

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