When the first cohort begins next fall, what type of person might best fit the Leadership and Education Administration and Development (LEAD) program at Adams State?

“Someone who wants to change the world,” said Melissa Freeman, Ph.D., assistant professor of HEAL. “Someone who will roll up their sleeves and do the difficult work of equity in education.”

Channeled correctly, Freeman said, that kind of passion can spark a more effective, inclusive educational future for students, including those in rural communities and historically underprivileged groups. To gain a seat at the table, though, leaders must acquire the right skills, knowledge and credentials.

That’s why Freeman fought to win a grant in 2010 to help launch Adams State’s dynamic, flexible Higher Education Administration and Leadership (HEAL) program. Working professionals had two options: a two-year M.A. program with rigorous courses transferable at the graduate level, or a one-year Executive Leadership Certificate post-graduate program. All courses are online.

HEAL was a resounding success. Just three years into its existence, it was recognized by Excelencia in Education for making a positive difference in the higher-education achievement of Latino students. Today, many graduates are flourishing, receiving accolades and influencing decisions as college deans, directors of financial aid, leaders of Hispanic Serving Institutions, grant administrators, principals, award-winning researchers and more.

Their career trajectories and feedback have helped to guide HEAL’s transformation into LEAD. The repackaged program has three main modifications, all designed to make education leaders stronger and better suited for workforce and economic changes.

The most significant change is expanding the program’s focus to include educational leaders in grades K-12, rather than just post-secondary. It’s more common now for professionals to bounce back and forth between the two. To address the crossover and prepare leaders for both levels, LEAD will include core courses for all students when the first cohort begins next fall.

“Here’s an example of a need that’s come up: We’re still figuring out how to address career and technical education in an area that’s now taking off all over the country,” says Adams State School of Education Director Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., (M.A, ’11). “It requires people who have the knowledge and skills to work across both the K-12 system and the higher-education system. You’re talking about getting kids to high school graduation, but also getting them on a path to a career and a credential.”

Dr. Garcia enjoys studying those kinds of educational shifts. He’s a San Luis Valley native who earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University, then returned home to work as an educator. Dr. Garcia is collaborating with Dr. Freeman to finalize details for LEAD.

The second change that makes the LEAD program different is empowering cohorts to achieve “stackable” certificates. Doing so better supports career pipelines in three areas: educational policy, data/analytics and decision making, and leadership. While LEAD students will navigate a breadth of courses —finance and budgeting, policy and politics, planning and assessment, and much more — they also can dive deep into a specialty and boost their professional credibility.

The third change for the program is starting a special cognate of students looking to achieve a K-12 superintendent license in Colorado.

“The future of the industry is going to require people who are innovative and creative, and who really have a passion for driving systems change,” Dr. Curtis said. “The leaders we’re hoping to train in this program are people who are driven to be deeply engaged, and we’re going to be there to support them.”

Those who are interested in the LEAD program are encouraged to email Dr. Freeman at mfreeman@adams.edu.