WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 26, 2025) – The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) is accepting applications through April 15, 2025 for its 2025-26 Superintendents Leadership Academy (SLA) and its National Principal Leadership Academy (NPLA).
The academies are ALAS’ signature leadership development communities. Aspiring superintendents and principals receive coaching, mentoring, and support through a mix of in-person and virtual sessions throughout the academic year from seasoned education leaders. The Academies provide transformative experiences designed to empower and elevate Latino education leaders and those leading schools that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized students.
“Nearly 30 percent of students in U.S. schools are Latino, and yet Latinos make up only 3% of the total number of superintendents and 9% of the total number of principals working in our schools,” said ALAS Executive Director Ulysses Navarrete. “Our leadership academies address the need to recruit, mentor, and prepare Latino education leaders and those serving Latino communities. Strong leadership leads to student success. Our academies are creating the next generation of leaders to help support the success of ALL students.”
The ALAS Superintendents Leadership AcademyTM (SLA) is facilitated by Dr. Patricia Garcia, an assistant professor who served for more than 17 years as a superintendent and Dr. Hector Montenegro, a former superintendent and internationally recognized speaker. The academy includes four in-person sessions and five virtual sessions beginning in September 2025 and ending in May, 2026. Learn more and apply at: https://alasedu.org/communities/superintendents-leadership-academy/.
The ALAS National Principal Leadership AcademyTM (NPLA) is led by Monica Mesa, an assistant superintendent who has also served as an assistant principal, principal, principal coach and university instructor. It includes two in-person sessions and eight virtual sessions beginning in July 2025 and ending in May, 2026. Learn more and apply at: https://alasedu.org/communities/national-principal-leadership-academy/.
Applicants must be members or must agree to become members of ALAS at the time of their acceptance to the SLA or NPLA.
Graduates of ALAS leadership academies are serving in leadership positions at schools and districts throughout the country and say the academies were instrumental in providing them with instruction and resources to overcome challenges Latino leaders and those leading Latino-serving schools often face and in providing them with skills that have helped them advance their careers.
“The ALAS Superintendent Leadership Academy was instrumental in enhancing my leadership capabilities, even after completing an Executive Leadership Program in my state,” said Dr. Evelyn Nuñez, an SLA graduate and superintendent in Pennsylvania. “The relevance of the program content, combined with the dedication of the instructors to our success, provided me with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the current landscape of the public-school education system while staying grounded in my core beliefs.”
“The discussions highlighted the need for cultural proficiency and advocacy in creating pathways for Latinos in leadership roles,” added Sofia Grant-Dewitt, an NPLA graduate who is serving as a principal in Maryland. “Overall, it reinforced the critical role of community and collaboration in addressing these gaps.”
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.
Author: EdCircuit Staff
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