Jessica Axt 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 26, 2025) – The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) has selected Omar Francisco Crowder, Instructional Leadership Executive Director for Secondary Schools for Highline Public Schools in Washington State, to receive the 2025-26 ALAS scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an aspiring superintendent (and ALAS member) to help them continue their advanced degree program. Applicants are selected based on need and on their personal statements about how an advanced degree will help them achieve their goals and further the goals of the ALAS mission and vision.
Omar Francisco Crowder is an award-winning educational leader with more than 20 years of experience. Most recently he served as the principal of Northeast High School for seven years, during which time he led the school to become Philadelphia’s top-performing neighborhood high school. He joined Highline Public Schools in Washington State in July, 2025 as Instructional Leadership Executive Director for Secondary Schools. His dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including the Integrity Icon Award from the Philadelphia Citizen (2025) and Principal of the Year from the Philadelphia Public League Coaches Association (2024). He was also honored as a Distinguished Principal by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation (2022). A proud third-generation Mexican-American and the first in his family to graduate from college, Crowder is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Saint Joseph’s University. In the summer of 2026, he will defend his dissertation which is focused on the effectiveness of principals of large high schools in urban cities in the post-COVID era.
“Omar Francisco Crowder has led significant change in his work as principal and we have no doubt he will continue to drive positive change as he continues in his career,” said ALAS Executive Director Ulysses Navarrete. “This scholarship is part of ALAS’ work to support leadership development and career advancement of Latino and Latino-serving school and district leaders. It makes the path to the superintendency a little easier for the recipient and we are honored to award the 2025-26 scholarship to Mr. Crowder.”
Crowder will be recognized during the ALAS 22nd National Summit on Education, which runs from Oct. 15-17, 2025 in Chicago. The Summit is the association’s flagship leadership development and networking event for administrators at schools and districts that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized youth.
The ALAS scholarship is offered annually and is among several ways ALAS supports leadership development for its members. The organization also offers leadership academies for aspiring superintendents and principals, affinity groups, networking opportunities, and policy advocacy events.
To learn more about the Summit and the awards gala, visit https://alasedu.org/events/.
For more information about ALAS, visit https://alasedu.org/.
About the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS)
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents [ALAS] is committed to providing a perspective to all aspiring school and district administrators, including superintendents, through programs, services, advocacy and networks rooted in Latino experiences and culture. Our Vision, Mission and Goals are to provide leadership at the national level that assures every school in America effectively serves the educational needs of all students with an emphasis on Latino and other historically marginalized youth through continuous professional learning, policy advocacy, and networking to share practices of promise for our students and the communities where we serve.
By the year 2026, Latino children will make up 30 percent of the school-age population. In the nation’s largest states – California, Texas, Florida, and New York – all of whom are ALAS State Affiliates – Latinos already have reached that level. It is of vital interest to invest in the education of every child, and the professional learning of all educators who serve Latino youth.
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